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PROOF  SHEETS 


INTERNATIONAL 
CONVENTION 
RULES  AND 
LEGISLATION 


Issued  by  Authority  of  the 
International  Convention  held  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  May,  1916 


INTERNATIONAL 
CONVENTION  RULES  AND 
LEGISLATION 


A Digest  of  the  Rules  and  Legislation 
of  the  International  Conventions  of  the 
North  American  Young  Men’s  Christian 
Associations  as  Now  in  Force,  together 
with  the  Act  of  Incorporation  and  By- 
laws of  the  International  Committee 


Report  of  Special  Committee, 
Issued  by  Authority  of  the 
International  Convention  held  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio, 

May,  1916 


Mandate  of  the  1916  Convention 

At  the  International  Convention  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Asso- 
ciations of  North  America,  held  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  12-16,  1916,  the 
following  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted : 

Resolved:  That  the  International  Committee  of  the  Young  Men’s 

Christian  Associations  of  North  America  be  requested  to  appoint  a 
Committee  which  shall  be  charged  with  the  duty: 

1st:  To  compile  and  codify  the  acts  and  deliverances  of  the  pres- 
ent and  all  previous  International  conventions  which  are  still  in  force, 
and  appropriately  to  index  the  same. 

2nd:  To  prepare  from  such  acts  and  deliverances,  with  such 

amendments  and  additions  as  to  the  Committee  may  seem  desirable,  a 
deliverance  which  shall  define  the  authority  and  functions  of  the  several 
officers  and  agencies  of  the  International  Convention. 

3rd:  To  formulate,  in  like  manner,  a code  of  procedural  rules  for 
the  government  of  the  International  Convention  and  its  several  agencies 
in  the  transaction  of  their  business. 

4th : This  Committee  shall  publish  and  send  to  the  Associations 

its  report  sixty  days  before  the  next  International  Convention,  at 
which  Convention  this  report  shall  be  considered. — Convention  of  1916, 
Cleveland,  p.  163. 

The  Committee  appointed  under  the  foregoing  instruction  of  the 
Convention  respectfully  submits  herewith  its  report  to  the  next  ensuing 
International  Convention. 

In  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  resolution  appointing  our  com- 
mittee, we  have  attempted  in  the  following  pages  to  compile  and  codify 
the  acts  and  deliverances  of  all  International  Conventions  “which  are  still 
in  force”  in  that  they  have  not  been  repealed,  but  which  are  subject  to 
renewal  or  modification  by  each  succeeding  convention,  and  have  indexed 
the  same;  based  on  such  compilation  and  codification  we  have  set  forth 
standing  rules  of  the  International  Convention  which  define  the  authority 
and  functions  of  the  several  officers  and  agencies  of  the  International 
Committee,  and  which  rules  constitute  a code  of  procedural  rules  for  the 
government  of  the  International  Convention  and  its  several  agencies. 


William  D.  Murray,  Chairman 
G.  I.  Babcock 
C.  A.  Coburn 
W.  E.  S.  Griswold 
C.  J.  Hicks 


Henry  H.  King 
F.  J.  Kingsbury 
L.  Wilbur  Messer 
Richard  C.  Morse 
Roger  H.  Williams 


4 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

OF 

International  Convention  Rules  and  Legislation 


page 

I.  Convention  History  7 

II.  Rules  of  the  Convention 8 


Based  upon  the  draft  of  the  rules  followed  at  the  Conven- 
tion of  1916,  together  with  the  additional  rules  occasioned 
by  the  Initiative  and  Referendum  and  upon  other  legisla- 
tion of  previous  Conventions  still  in  force  with  reference  to 
the  conduct  of  International  Conventions. 


III.  Initiative  and  Referendum  (Toronto,  1910) 14 

IV.  International  Committee  (See  also  Historical  Development 

in  Convention  History ) 16 


Regular  and  Advisory  Members. 

Action  of  Convention  of  1881  instructing  Committee  to  seek 
to  obtain  an  Act  of  Incorporation. 

Act  of  Incorporation. 

Acceptance  and  Adoption  of  this  Act  (Mihvaukee,  18S3). 

By-Laws. 

Home  Work:  Field,  Functions,  and  Departments. 

As  defined  in  the  resolutions  of  the  Toronto  1910  and 
subsequent  conventions. 

Budget. 

Foreign  Work:  Resolutions  relating  to  Association  Work 
in  the  Foreign  Field. 

V.  Relation  to  the  Church 30 

Cincinnati  (1856):  Paris  Basis. 

Detroit  (1868)  and  Portland  (1869):  Basis  for  Active  Mem- 
bership. 

Washington  (1907):  Alternate  Basis  of  Membership  for 
Student  Associations. 

Cincinnati  (1913):  Report  of  Committee  of  Fifteen  on  the 
Evangelical  Test. 

Cincinnati  (1913):  Eighteen  resolutions. 

Cleveland  (1916):  Cooperation  with  the  Sunday  School 
Movement. 

Cleveland  (1916):  Resolution  relating  to  Association  and 
Church  work  in  state  universities. 

VI.  Relationships  between  the  International  Committee  and 


Local,  State,  and  World  Organizations 37 

VII.  Relation  to  Canadian  Associations 41 

VIII.  The  Employed  Officers 41 

Index  48 


5 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/internationalconOOyoun 


I.  CONVENTION  HISTORY 

Extract  from  International  Convention  Rules  and 
Legislation.  Association  Press,  N.  Y.,  1912.  With 
Revisions  and  Additions 

Less  than  three  years  after  the  organization  in  1851  of  the  first  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Association  on  the  American  continent,  there  met  in  the 
city  of  Buffalo,  June  7,  1854,  the  first  Convention  of  the  North  American 
Associations.  This  gathering,  which  came  together  upon  the  invitation  of 
the  Associations  in  Washington,  Buffalo,  and  Boston,  was  attended  by 
thirty-seven  delegates,  representing  nineteen  Associations.  It  resulted  in  the 
formation  of  “A  Confederation  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations 
of  the  United  States  and  British  Provinces,”  with  a Central  Committee  of 
ten  members  having  headquarters  in  Washington,  appointed  to  act  for 
the  Confederation  until  the  next  meeting  and  instructed  “to  issue  the  call 
for  the  next  Convention,  to  correspond  with  Associations,  to  form  new 
Associations,  and  to  recommend  new  measures  to  existing  Associations.” 

During  the  period  from  1854  to  1866,  ten  Conventions,  including  the 
first,  were  held,  and  seven  successive  Central  Committees,  located  in 
different  cities,  were  appointed  as  the  agents  of  these  Conventions. 

The  Convention  of  1866,  which  met  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  created  as  its 
agent,  in  place  of  the  former  Central  Committee  which  was  appointed 
annually,  an  Executive  Committee  of  five  members  resident  in  New  York 
City  to  serve  for  a period  of  three  years  with  headquarters  in  that  city. 
This  appointment  proved  to  be  the  beginning  of  a Committee,  which 
reelected  and  enlarged  from  time  to  time  by  Convention  authority,  has 
continued  as  the  permanent  Committee  of  the  Conventions  acting  as  their 
agent  in  carrying  out  the  will  and  action  of  each  succeeding  convention. 

During  the  next  ten  years — 1866-1876 — the  Conventions  continued 
to  meet  annually  and  in  the  meeting  of  1868  the  Executive  Committee  was 
instructed  to  secure  its  first  employed  agent.  In  1876  the  Convention 
voted  to  meet  biennially  thereafter,  and  at  the  meeting  in  Baltimore, 
1879,  the  name  of  its  Committee  was  changed  from  “The  Executive  Com- 
mittee,” to  “The  International  Committee,”  the  name  by  which  it  has 
since  been  known. 

The  Cleveland  (1881)  Convention  passed  a resolution  requesting  the 
International  Committee  to  secure  incorporation,  and  the  Convention 
meeting  in  Milwaukee  in  1883  approved  and  adopted  the  charter  thus 
secured  for  the  International  Committee,  under  an  act  of  the  New  York 
legislature,  by  which  the  members  of  “the  committee  and  their  successors 
in  office  were  constituted  a body  corporate  and  politic  by  the  name  of  the 
International  Committee  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations,  for 
the  purpose  of  establishing  and  assisting  these  Associations  in  any  country 
and  generally  to  promote  the  spiritual,  physical,  intellectual,  and  social 
well-being  of  young  men  in  accordance  with  the  aims  and  methods  of  the 


7 


Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  in  connection  with  said  convention.” 
This  act  also  created  a Board  of  Trustees  to  hold  property  in  trust  for 
the  Associations  and  for  the  Committee.  The  act  also  provided  for  the 
election  thereafter  at  each  Convention  of  one-third  of  the  members  of  the 

Committee.1 

Since  the  Convention  of  1901  held  in  Boston,  these  official  gatherings 
of  the  North  American  Associations  have  been  held  triennially.  Be- 
ginning with  1866  the  Committee  as  elected  by  these  Conventions  has 
submitted  to  each  successive  Convention  a report  of  work  done  and 
projected,  and  the  International  Committee  as  it  exists  to-day,  with  its 
different  departments  and  its  staff  of  secretaries  on  both  the  Home  and 
Foreign  fields,  conducts  its  work  under  the  continued  direction  and 
approval  of  the  Triennial  International  Conventions  and  as  the  agent  of 
the  local  Associations  of  North  America. 


II.  RULES  OF  THE  INTERNATIONAL  CONVENTION 
OF  YOUNG  MEN’S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATIONS 
OF  NORTH  AMERICA 

Being  Acts  and  Deliverances  of  International  Conventions 
Including  Changes  Suggested  by  the  Committee 

Parts  in  brackets  are  suggested  by  the  committee ; italics  are  used 
to  indicate  portion  the  omission  of  which  is  advocated. 

1.  Credential  Committee 

The  International  Committee  shall,  before  the  meeting  of  each  Con- 
vention, appoint  a Committee  on  Credentials  to  consist  of  seven  members, 
who  shall  receive  [and  pass  upon]  the  credentials  of  delegates  as  they  reach 
the  place  of  meeting,  and  report  the  same  to  the  Convention  during  its 
session. — Convention  of  1859,  Troy,  p.  18. 

2.  Voting  Delegates 

a.  From  Associations 

The  Associations  of  North  America  shall  send  as  voting  delegates 
to  the  Convention  only  active  members  who  have  been  elected  by  the 
direct  vote  of  the  active  membership  of  the  Association,  or  by  the  Man- 
aging Board.  Where  an  Association  sends  more  than  one  voting  delegate 
to  the  Convention,  it  is  deemed  preferable  that  employed  officers  shall 
not  be  in  the  majority  in  such  delegation. 

The  International  Committee  shall  require  from  each  Association, 
Branch,  [or  Department,]  through  its  directors  or  managers,  a statement 
to  be  filed  ten  days  before  the  Convention,  to  the  effect  that  said  Associa- 
tion, Branch  [,  or  Department]  is  in  obedience  to,  and  in  practice  in  accord 
with,  the  Basis  of  Active  Membership  as  defined  by  previous’  International 

'This  act  is  given  in  full  on  page  17. 

2See  page  30.  for  transcript  from  proceedings  of  Cincinnati  (1856).  Detroit 
(1868),  Portland  (1869),  Washington  (1907).  and  Cincinnati  (1913)  Conventions  fixing  and 
reaffirming  the  Basis  of  Active  Membership. 


Conventions.  Regular  or  voting  credentials  shall  be  issued  only  to  those 
Associations,  Branches  [,  or  Departments]  which  comply  with  the  require- 
ments of  this  rule.  Each  Association  shall  be  entitled  to  two  regular 
delegates  and  to  as  many  additional  regular  delegates  as  its  active  member- 
ship warrants  at  the  ratio  of  one  delegate  for  each  complete  one  hundred 
active  members  additional  to  the  first  one  hundred  active  members.  Mem- 
bers of  Boards  of  Directors  of  Metropolitan  Associations,  where  such 
Boards  are  composed  entirely  of  Active  Members,  shall  be  entitled  to 
seats  in  the  convention  as  Delegates,  if  appointed  Delegates  by  their  Asso- 
ciations, provided  such  Associations  so  appointing  such  members  as  dele- 
gates, shall  not  be  entitled  thereby  to  any  increased  representation. — Con- 
ventions of  1859,  Troy,  p.  18;  Detroit,  1868,  p.  94;  Portland,  1869,  p.  58; 
Washington,  1871  p.  108;  Washington,  1907,  p.  Ill;  Toronto, 
1910,  p.  152;  Cincinnati,  1913,  p.  7 , p.  77. 

b.  Ex-Officio  Delegates 

The  officers  of  the  preceding  International  Convention  shall  be  en- 
titled to  seats  in  the  Convention  as  delegates.— Convention  of  1913,  Cin- 
cinnati, p.  7. 

3.  Non-Voting  Delegates 

a.  Members  and  Secretaries  of  International,  State,  and  Provincial 

Committees 

It  is  understood  that  every  member  and  secretary  of  the  International 
Committee  or  of  any  State  Committee  or  of  the  Canadian  National  Coun- 
cil, who  may  not  have  been  accredited  as  a delegate  by  an  Association,  is 
entitled  to  attend  and  participate  in  the  discussions  of  one  of  the  Sections 
of  classes  of  Associations  into  which  the  Convention  divides,  as  well  as 
in  the  Convention  as  a Whole.  Those  who  have  been  accredited  as  dele- 
gates can  vote  only  in  the  Section  of  the  class  of  Associations  to  which 
the  Association  appointing  them  belongs.  They  are  at  liberty  to  attend 
other  Sections. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  364. 

b.  Other  Non-Voting  Delegates 

Members  of  North  American  Associations  in  attendance  upon  the 
Convention,  who  are  not  regularly  accredited  delegates,  visiting  members 
of  foreign  Associations,  corresponding  members  of  State  Associations, 
[members  of  provisional  Associations,]  duly  accredited  visitors  from  un- 
organized towns,  and  ministers  of  evangelical  churches  who  are  in  at- 
tendance upon  the  Convention  shall  be  admitted  to  seats  as  corresponding 
(non-voting)  delegates. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  360. 

4.  Program 

The  International  Committee  shall  arrange  and  print  a program  for 
such  part  of  the  Convention  sessions  as  it  may  deem  wise,  said  program 
to  be  subject  to  such  alterations  as  may  be  made  therein  by  the  Business 
Committee  of  the  Convention. — Conventions  of  1872,  Lowell,  p.  78;  and 
1887,  San  Francisco,  p.  52. 


9 


5.  Organization  of  Convention 

In  organizing  the  Convention,  the  President  of  the  previous  Con- 
vention shall  preside  until  permanent  officers  are  chosen.  In  his  absence, 
the  Chairman  or  other  member  of  the  International  Committee  shall  pre- 
side. A Secretary  pro  tern,  shall  also  be  appointed.  [Rules  for  the 
guidance  of  the  Convention  shall  be  adopted  at  its  opening  session.]  — 
Convention  of  1859,  Troy,  p.  18. 

6.  Nominating  Committee 

At  the  opening  session  a Committee  consisting  of  one  delegate  from 
each  state,  district,  province,  and  territory  represented  and  nominated  by 
the  respective  delegates  from  such  states,  districts,  provinces,  and  terri- 
tories, shall  be  elected  by  the  Convention,  and  shall  nominate  the  per- 
manent officers  of  the  Convention,  [to  consist  of  a President,  two  or  more 
Vice-Presidents,  and  a Recording  Secretary  and  at  least  two  assistants, 
and  shall  also  nominate]  the  Committee  on  the  International  Committee’s 
Report. — Conventions  of  1859,  Troy,  p.  18;  of  1897,  Mobile,  p.  41;  and 
of  1913,  Cincinnati,  p.  24. 

7.  Committee  on  the  International  Committee's  Report 

This  Committee  shall  be  elected  by  the  Convention  on  the  nomination 
of  the  Nominating  Committee. — Convention  of  1913,  Cincinnati,  p.  24. 

8.  Standing  Committees  Appointed  by  the  President 

Immediately  after  the  organization  is  completed,  the  President  shall 
appoint  the  following  Standing  Committees,  each  to  consist  of  [at  least] 
seven  members : 

A Business  Committee,  to  which  shall  be  referred  all  business  of  a 
general  nature. 

‘A  Committee  on  Associations,  to  which  shall  be  referred  all  matters 
touching  the  Associations  in  their  individual  and  united  action. 

A Committee  on  Resolutions,  to  which  all  resolutions,  memorials, 
and  propositions  shall  be  handed,  on  or  before  the  second  day  of  the 
session  of  the  Convention,  each  paper  to  contain  the  name  of  the  pro- 
poser and  the  name  of  the  Association  he  represents:  these  resolutions 
to  be  at  once  referred  to  the  Committee  without  reading. 

A Committee  on  Public  and  Devotional  Meetings. 

But  the  Convention  may  refer  any  business  to  a Special  Committee, 
or  to  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  at  its  pleasure. — Conventions  of  1859, 
Troy,  p.  18;  and  1868,  Detroit,  pp.  36  and  129. 

9.  Appointment  of  Committees 

All  Committees  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Chair  unless  otherwise 
ordered. — Convention  of  1864,  Boston,  p.  27. 

10.  The  Sessions  of  thf  Convention 

Except  on  Sunday  the  Convention  shall  sit  as  a whole  in  the  forenoon 
sessions;  it  shall  sit  as  a convention  in  sections  in  [at  least  two  of]  the 
afternoon  sessions;  it  shall  sit  as  a Convention  of  the  Whole  in  the  evening 
sessions. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland , p.  363. 


10 


11.  Time  of  Committee  Mef.tings 

While  the  Convention  is  in  session  no  Committee  shall  sit  without 
special  permission.- — Convention  of  1859,  Troy,  p.  19. 

12.  Order  of  Reports 

All  reports  of  Committees  shall  be  numbered  and  placed  upon  a 
docket  and  brought  up  in  regular  order  in  Convention,  except  such  as 
shall  be  referred  to  the  Committee  of  the  Whole. 

Unless  otherwise  instructed.  Committees  shall  report  matters  referred 
to  them  before  the  last  business  session  of  the  Convention. — Convention  of 
1859,  Troy,  p.  19. 

13.  Order  of  Procedure 

The  order  of  proceedings  for  each  session  of  the  whole  Convention 
shall  be  as  follows : 

Devotional  Exercises 
Reading  of  Minutes 

Calls  for  Resolutions,  Memorials,  and  Propositions  until  the  close  of 
the  second  day  of  the  Convention 
Reading  of  Communications 
Reports  of  Standing  Committees 
Reports  of  Special  Committees  and  Commissions 
Unfinished  Business. — Conventions  of  1859,  Troy.  p.  18.  and  1916, 
Cleveland,  p.  363. 

14.  Reference  of  Business 

After  the  appointment  of  the  Committees,  memorials,  resolutions,  and 
propositions  shall  be  referred  by  the  President,  without  action  or  debate, 
to  a Standing  Committee,  unless  the  Convention  shall  refer  the  same  to  a 
special  Committee,  or  to  the  Committee  of  the  Whole;  and  this  rule  of 
reference  shall  apply  to  all  business  brought  before  the  Convention,  except 
such  as  is  incidental  in  its  character. — Convention  of  1859,  Troy,  p.  18. 

15.  Limit  of  Time  in  Debate  and  Discussion 

Members  assigned  to  open  topics  of  discussion  shall  be  limited  to 
fifteen  minutes  each.  No  other  member  shall  speak  more  than  once  on 
any  question  until  others  who  wish  have  spoken,  or  more  than  five  minutes 
without  unanimous  consent ; and  this  rule  shall  prevail  in  the  Committee 
of  the  Whole. — Conventions  of  1872,  Lowell,  p.  18,  and  1873,  Pough- 
keepsie, p.  19. 

16.  Motions  to  be  Written 

All  motions  shall  be  reduced  to  writing  before  they  are  put  to  vote. — 
Convention  of  1859,  Troy,  p.  19. 

17.  Yeas  and  Nays 

The  vote,  when  desired  by  five  members  of  different  Associations,  on 
any  proposition  shall  be  taken  by  yeas  and  nays,  and  recorded.  In  such 
cases  each  Association  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote,  which  shall  be  cast  by 
a majority  of  its  delegates  present. — Convention  of  1859,  Troy,  p.  19. 


11 


18.  Previous  Question 

Pending  any  question,  it  shall  always  be  in  order  to  move  that  the 
debate  close,  which  motion  shall  be  put  without  discussion,  in  this  form: 
“Shall  the  question  now  be  put?” — Convention  of  1859,  Troy,  p.  19. 

19.  Suspension  of  Rules 

The  Convention  may  at  any  time  suspend  the  rules  for  a special 
object  by  a vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. — Convention  of 
1859,  Troy,  />.  19. 

20.  Committee  of  the  Whole 

The  Convention  at  any  time  may  resolve  itself  into  a Committee  of  the 
Whole,  and  consider  in  a general  form  any  proposition  or  matter  apper- 
taining to  the  Associations  with  a view  to  developing  the  experience  of 
the  Associations  and  the  opinions  of  the  delegates  upon  the  subjects  under 
consideration;  and  at  the  close  of  its  discussion  thereon,  the  Committee 
shall  report  its  conclusions  to  the  Convention  for  its  action;  the  report  to 
be  prepared  and  submitted  for  such  reference  to  the  Committee  of  the 
Whole  by  the  Standing  Committee  to  whose  jurisdiction  the  matter  under 
discussion  relates,  unless  the  Convention  shall  appoint  a special  com- 
mittee to  prepare  and  submit  the  report. — Convention  of  1859,  Troy,  p.  19. 

21.  Procedure  Unprovided  for 

[Where  these  rules  make  no  provision,  “Robert’s  Rules  of  Order”  shall 
prevail.] 

22.  Rules  Governing  Sectional  Sessions 

a.  Sections  According  to  Classes  of  Associations 

At  least  the  following  sections  shall  be  provided  for : Section  of  City 
Associations;  Section  of  Student  Associations;  Section  of  Railroad  Asso- 
ciations; Section  of  Rural  Associations;  Section  of  Army  and  Navy; 
[Section  of  Associations  in  industrial  fields]  and  such  other  sections  as 
shall  from  time  to  time  be  provided  for  by  the  Convention. — Convention 
of  1916,  Cleveland>  p.  363. 

b.  Sections  According  to  Geographical  Divisions 

In  at  least  one  period  of  each  Convention,  the  Sections  above  referred 
to  shall  give  place  to  groups  of  the  delegates  meeting  by  states,  provinces, 
or  groups  of  states  or  provinces  for  the  purpose  of  considering,  adapting, 
and  unifying  in  each  such  territory  the  recommendations  or  conclusions 
of  the  Convention  itself,  and  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  about  administra- 
tive unity  and  effectiveness.  The  Nominating  Committee  of  the  Conven- 
tion shall  determine  the  constitution  of  the  geographical  groups,  having 
regard  to  the  size  of  delegations,  their  propinquity,  and  the  expressed 
preference  of  delegates. — Convention  of  1916.  Cleveland,  p.  363. 

c.  Powers  and  Functions  of  the  Sections 

No  resolution  or  measure  originating  in  a Section  according  to  classes 
of  Associations,  shall  become  operative  or  binding  until  it  has  been  sub- 
mitted to  and  approved  by  the  Convention  as  a Whole.  It  is  understood 


12 


that  the  geographical  groups  originate  no  measures  or  legislation. — Con- 
vention of  1916,  Cleveland,  />.  363. 

d.  Organization  of  Sections 

The  Nominating  Committee  of  the  Convention  shall  propose  Nominat- 
ing Committees  for  the  different  Sections  or  groups  of  the  Convention, 
said  Nominating  Committees  being  composed  of  members  of  the  respective 
Sections.  These  Nominating  Committees  shall  be  ready  to  propose  to 
their  respective  Sections  on  assembling,  names  of  men  to  serve  as  per- 
manent officers.  The  Chairman  of  each  Nominating  Committee  shall  be 
the  temporary  Chairman  or  Convener  of  his  Section.  The  permanent 
officers  of  each  Section  shall  be  a Chairman,  two  Vice-Chairmen,  a Secre- 
tary, and  two  Assistant  Secretaries. — Convention  pf  1916,  Cleveland , />.  363. 

e.  Committees  of  Sections  According  to  Classes  of  Associations 

The  Chairman  of  each  Section  according  to  classes  of  Associations 
shall  name  the  following  Committees  : 

(1)  Business  Committee,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  make  all  arrange- 
ments with  reference  to  the  program  and  conduct  of  the  business. 

(2)  Committee  on  Findings,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  prepare  such 
findings  or  resolutions  as  may  be  desired,  for  submission  to  the  Conven- 
tion as  a Whole.  In  order  to  submit  such  findings  to  the  Convention  as  a 
Whole,  the  Section  must  first  adopt  them  and  then  send  them  to  the 
Committee  on  the  Report  of  the  International  Committee,  which  shall  pre- 
sent them  to  the  International  Convention  with  its  own  recommendations 
regarding  them. 

f.  Rules  Croveming  Discussion 

The  rules  governing  discussion  and  business  in  each  Section  or  group 
shall  be  the  same  as  those  employed  in  the  main  Convention. 

g.  Order  of  Procedure 

The  order  of  procedure  for  each  Section  or  group  of  the  Convention 
shall  be  similar  to  that  followed  in  the  main  Convention. 

h.  Resolutions  from  the  Floor  of  the  Main  Convention 

A resolution  or  proposal  made  from  the  floor  of  the  main  Convention 
and  which  concerns  a particular  group  of  Associations  having  its  own 
Section  in  the  Convention,  shall,  unless  otherwise  ordered,  be  referred 
without  debate  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Convention  to  the  Business  Com- 
mittee of  that  Section  to  be  brought  before  the  Section  for  consideration. — 
Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  f>.  363. 

23.  Determination  of  Place  and  Date  of  Next  Convention 

In  determining  the  place  for  holding  the  next  Convention,  all  invita- 
tions for  such  Convention  shall  be  presented  on  the  floor  of  the  Convention 
at  a time  arranged  for  the  purpose  by  the  Business  Committee,  each  invita- 
tion being  entitled  to  five  minutes  for  its  presentation. 

These  invitations  having  been  thus  received  by  the  Convention,  shall 
be  referred  to  the  International  Committee,  which  shall  determine  upon 
the  place  for  holding  the  next  Convention.  F'ach  Convention  may  determine 


13 


the  year  in  which  its  successor  shall  be  held.  In  default  of  such  action, 
the  next  Convention  shall  be  held  after  the  same  interval  as  elapsed  be- 
tween the  two  Conventions  preceding  it. — Convention  of  1897 , Mobile,  p.  41. 

24.  Duty  of  International  Committee  between  Conventions 

After  the  adjournment  of  each  Convention  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
International  Committee  to  transact  any  business  entrusted  to  its  charge ; 
and  it  may  upon  an  emergency  requiring  immediate  action,  adopt  such 
measures  as  may  he  necessary,  not  inconsistent  with  the  action  of  pre- 
ceding Conventions,  reporting  the  same  to  the  next  succeeding  Convention 
for  its  approval. — Convention  of  1872,  Lowell,  p.  78. 


III.  INITIATIVE  AND  REFERENDUM 

Be  it  Resolved,  by  the  International  Convention  of  the  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Associations  of  North  America,  in  convention  assembled,  that 
any  ten  per  cent,  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  reported  in 
the  last  Year  Book  of  the  International  Committee,  shall  have  the  right 
after  this  and  subsequent  International  Conventions,  to  file  their  referen- 
dum petition  with  the  General  Secretary  of  the  International  Committee 
any  time  within  ninety  days  after  the  close  of  the  session  of  an  Interna- 
tional Convention,  demanding  by  such  petition  the  submission  to  all  the 
Associations  of  any  act,  resolution,  or  motion  approved  by  said  convention, 
said  submission  being  for  approval  or  rejection  of  said  act,  resolution,  or 
motion  by  a majority  of  the  votes  cast  by  the  Associations  for  and  against 
the  same. 

In  voting  thereon,  each  Association  shall  be  entitled  to  two  votes  upon 
such  measure,  and  to  one  additional  vote  for  each  additional  one  hundred 
active  members,  after  the  first  one  hundred  active  members  as  shown  by 
the  report  of  the  said  Association  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  International 
Committee  for  the  year  previous.  In  order  that  a vote  shall  have  binding 
effect  under  this  resolution  the  number  of  votes  cast  must  be  a majority 
of  the  whole  number  of  votes  entitled  to  be  cast  upon  the  measure  voted 
upon.  The  governing  body  or  cabinet  of  each  Association  shall  decide  as 
to  the  manner  in  which  and  by  whom  the  votes  of  the  said  Association 
shall  be  determined  and  cast,  according  to  its  own  rules,  provided  that  the 
vote  shall  be  either  by  ballot  of  its  active  membership  or  by  formal  resolu- 
tion of  said  governing  body  or  cabinet.  If  a majority  of  the  whole  number 
of  votes  cast  by  all  the  Associations  voting  on  the  question  be  against  any 
measure  so  submitted  on  referendum  petition,  it  shall  thereby  be  repealed 
and  of  no  more  force  or  effect,  in  like  manner  and  with  like  effect  as 
though  it  had  been  repealed  by  majority  vote  of  the  International  Con- 
vention in  open  session. 

The  General  Secretary  of  the  International  Committee  shall  cause  said 
referendum  petition  and  the  act.  resolution,  or  motion  against  which  it  is 
filed,  to  he  printed  in  Association  Men  in  the  next  ensuing  issue  going  to 
press  after  the  filing  of  such  petition.  The  petitioners  and  those  opposing 
said  measure,  shall  each  be  entitled  to  not  exceeding  two  pages  of  argu- 


14 


ment  and  explanation  thereof,  in  each  of  the  two  succeeding  consecutive 
monthly  issues  of  Association  Men,  after  the  publication  of  the  measure 
and  petition.  In  case  more  words  shall  be  submitted  by  either  those  favor- 
ing or  those  opposing  the  measure  than  can  be  printed  within  the  two 
pages  of  space  so  allotted,  the  editor  is  hereby  authorized  to  reduce  the 
same  to  the  limit  allotted. 

The  General  Secretary  of  the  International  Committee  shall,  at  the 
same  time  that  he  publishes  said  referendum  petition,  give  notice  of  the 
election  on  the  measure  and  the  form  of  ballot,  and  all  necessary  details 
and  provisions  therefor  in  Association  Men,  with  the  petition,  act,  resolu- 
tion, or  motion  on  which  the  referendum  is  demanded.  And  the  General 
Secretary  of  the  International  Committee  shall  send  a direct  formal  com- 
munication to  each  Association,  including  a copy  of  the  text  of  the  said 
referendum,  petition,  act,  resolution,  or  motion. 

The  General  Secretary  of  the  International  Committee  shall  in  every 
such  case,  order  an  election  on  said  measure  to  occur  not  less  than  fifteen 
nor  more  than  thirty  days  after  the  date  of  the  last  issue  of  Association 
Men  containing  arguments  and  explanations  as  above  provided  for. 

The  referendum  petitioners,  in  proposing  and  filing  their  petitions, 
shall  also  designate  the  names  of  two  or  more  persons  from  whom  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  International  Committee  shall  select  one  to  act  as 
teller  and  canvasser  of  the  vote,  and  said  General  Secretary  shall  also,  at 
the  same  time  on  his  motion,  select  and  appoint  two  other  persons  to  act 
as  tellers  and  canvassers  of  the  vote.  The  petitioners  shall  pay  all  the 
necessary  expenses  of  the  person  designated  to  act  as  teller  on  their  behalf. 
The  votes  at  every  such  election  shall  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  taken,  by 
the  President  or  Secretary  of  each  Association,  by  registered  mail  to  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  International  Committee. 

On  the  thirtieth  day  after  the  termination  of  the  election  period,  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  International  Committee  shall  call  together  the 
three  tellers  above  provided  for,  who  shall  open,  count,  and  canvass  the 
vote  on  such  measure  and  cause  the  result  of  the  election  to  be  printed  in 
Association  Men. 

Be  it  further  Resolved,  by  the  International  Convention  of  the  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Associations  of  North  America,  that  the  governing  body 
of  any  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  may  petition  the  other  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Associations  in  behalf  of  any  proposal  and  when  any  ten 
per  cent,  of  the  whole  number  of  Associations  reported  in  the  last  Year 
Book  of  the  International  Committee  shall  have  united  in  an  initiative 
measure  they  shall  have  the  right  to  file  with  the  General  Secretary  of  the 
International  Committee  their  initiative  petition  proposing  any  act,  resolu- 
tion. or  motion  that  might  be  legally  proposed  and  passed  by  the  Interna- 
tional Convention  in  open  session.  Every  such  initiative  petition  shall  in- 
clude the  full  text  of  the  act,  resolution,  or  motion  demanded. 

The  General  Secretary  of  the  International  Committee  shall  forthwith 
proceed  in  all  respects  to  submit  said  initiative  proposal  to  all  the  Associa- 
tions in  the  same  manner  above  provided  for  submitting  measures  de- 
manded on  referendum  petition. 

The  method  of  voting  and  the  number  of  votes  allowed,  and  all  other 

15 


details  in  voting  on  such  initiative  measure  shall  be  the  same  as  above 
provided  for  voting  on  referendum  measures. 

If  a majority  of  the  whole  number  of  votes  cast  on  any  such  initiative 
measure,  by  all  the  Associations  voting  on  the  question,  shall  be  in  favor 
of  any  initiative  measure  so  submitted,  it  shall  then  be  brought  before  the 
next  International  Convention  for  final  action,  provided  that  any  act, 
resolution,  or  motion  adopted  by  the  initiative,  as  herein  above  provided, 
shall  not  become  effective  until  it  shall  have  been  approved,  either  in  its 
entirety  or  in  amended  form,  by  the  next  succeeding  International  Con- 
vention.— Convention  of  1910,  Toronto,  p.  143. 


IV.  INTERNATIONAL  COMMITTEE 

(See  also  for  Historical  Development,  p.  7 Convention 

History) 

page 


Regular  and  Advisory  Members 17 

Action  of  Convention  of  1881  Instructing  Committee  to  Seek  to 
Obtain  an  Act  of  Incorporation 17 

Act  of  Incorporation 17 

Acceptance  and  Adoption  (Milwaukee,  1883) 19 

By-Laws  19 

Home  Work:  Field,  Functions,  and  Departments 20 


Resolution  of  approval  of  general  work,  Toronto,  1910—  Guid- 
ing Principles  and  Chief  Points  of  Emphasis  in  the  Policy  of 
the  International  Committee — Army  and  Navy  (1916) — Asso- 
ciations (1916) — Boys’  Work  Department  (1916) — Building  Bu- 
reau (1913) — Business  and  Finance  (1916) — City  Department 
(1916) — Colored  Men’s  Department  (1910) — Community  Plan 
(1913) — District  Executive  Secretaries  (1913) — Educational  De- 
partment (1916) — Industrial  Work  (1916)- — Physical  Depart- 
ment (1916) — Publication'  Department  (1916) — Railroad  De- 
partment (1916) — Street  Railway  Branches  (1913) — Religious 
Work  (1916)— Student  Department  (1913)  (1916). 

Foreign  Work  : Resolutions  Relating  to  Association  Work 

in  the  Foreign  Field 25 

Authorizing  Continuance  of  Foreign  Work,  Toronto  (1910) — 
Empowering  the  Committee  to  work  in  the  foreign  field. 
Philadelphia  (1889) — Aim  and  basis  of  membership  of  Asso- 
ciation work  in  the  foreign  mission  field,  Kansas  City  (1891) 

— Recommendations  adopted  from  the  report  of  the  commis- 
sion on  the  relation  of  the  North  American  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Association  to  the  foreign  work,  Cleveland  (1916). 

Procedure  Between  Conventions 30 


16 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  INTERNATIONAL  COMMITTEE 


That  in  view  of  the  growing  volume  of  the  work  of  the  International 
Committee,  and  the  desirability  of  enlarging  its  sub-committees  and  of 
making  its  work  more  representative  of  all  sections  of  the  field,  the 
Convention  not  only  elect  the  successors  of  those  members  of  the  Com- 
mittee whose  terms  of  office  expire  with  this  Convention  but  also  make 
provision  for  further  increasing  the  size  of  the  Committee  to  a total  of 
one  hundred  and  fifteen  members.— -Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  162  * 

ADVISORY  MEMBERS  OF  THE  INTERNATIONAL 
COMMITTEE 

Whereas,  The  advisory  members  of  the  Committee  have  no  vote  in  the 
International  Committee,  and  their  action  is  purely  advisory, 

Resolved:  That  we  recommend  that  the  International  Committee  have 
power  to  increase  the  number  of  advisory  members  from  time  to  time  as 
they  may  deem  best. — Convention  of  1885,  Atlanta,  p.  90. 

Resolved:  That  we  approve  the  precedent  concerning  advisory  mem- 
bers that  while  they  are  not  expected  to  attend  the  regular  meetings  of  the 
Committee,  they  be  invited  to  attend  the  Annual  Conference  of  the  Com- 
mittee and  its  secretaries,  being  related  as  may  be  desired  to  the  work 
of  the  various  subcommittees. — Convention  of  1910.  Toronto,  />.  151. 

INSTRUCTION  TO  COMMITTEE  REGARDING  ACT  OF 
INCORPORATION 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  be  requested  to  take  measures  to  secure 
the  incorporation  of  the  International  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association. 
— Convention  of  1881,  Cleveland,  p.  75. 

ACT  OF  INCORPORATION  OF  THE  INTERNATIONAL 
COMMITTEE 

&n  get 

To  incorporate  the  International  Committee  of  Young  Men’s  Christian 
Associations,  being  Chapter  241  of  the  Laws  of  1883  (New  York),  passed 
April  16,  1883,  as  amended  by  Chapter  251,  Laws  of  1907.  and  Chapter 
214,  Laws  of  1909. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows : 

Section  1.  Cephas  Brainerd,  William  E.  Dodge,  Jr.,  Morris  K.  Jesup, 
Robert  R.  McBurney,  Elbert  B.  Monroe,  Moses  Taylor  Pyne,  James 
Stokes,  Cornelius  Vanderbilt,  Benjamin  C.  Wetmore,  John  S.  McLean. 
Samuel  II.  Blake,  Russell  Sturgis,  Jr.,  Henry  M.  Moore,  William  G. 
Warden,  James  McCormick,  H.  Kirke  Porter,  H.  Thane  Miller,  Turling- 

* Page  references  are  made  to  Convention  Reports  in  which  quoted  legislation 
appears. 


17 


ton  W.  Harvey,  Cyrus  H.  McCormick,  Jr.,  Thomas  Cochran,  Jr.,  George 
S.  Brown,  William  P.  Munford,  Joseph  Hardie,  Augustine  T.  Smythe, 
John  L.  Wheat,  Frank  L.  Johnston,  William  T.  Hardie  and  Alexander 
Guthrie,  being  the  persons  designated  for  the  purpose  by  the  International 
Convention  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  of  the  United 
States  and  British  Provinces  in  accordance  with  a resolution  to  that  effect 
of  the  Convention  of  the  said  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations,  passed 
May  27,  1881.  and  their  associates  and  successors  in  office,  are  hereby  con- 
stituted a body  corporate  and  politic  by  the  name  of  the  International 
Committee  of  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations,  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  and  assisting  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  in  any 
country  -and  generally  to  promote  the  spiritual,  intellectual,  physical  and 
social  well-being  of  young  men,  in  accordance  with  the  aims  and  methods 
of  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  in  connection  with  the  said  Con- 
vention. 

Section  2.  The  management  and  disposition  of  the  affairs  of  the 
corporation  shall  be  vested  in  a committee  composed  of  the  individuals 
named  in  the  first  section  of  this  act  as  incorporators  and  their  associates 
and  successors  in  office,  the  said  board  to  be  composed  of  not  less  than 
twenty-seven  members,  one  third  of  whom  shall  go  out  of  office,  and  one 
third  be  elected,  at  each  of  the  said  International  Conventions  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Associations  of  the  United  States  and  British  Provinces 
by  the  said  Convention;  and  if  any  vacancy  shall  occur  during  the  interim 
of  the  said  Conventions,  it  shall  be  filled  by  a majority  of  the  votes  of  the 
remaining  members  of  the  Committee  resident  in  the  State  of  New  York. 

Section  3.  The  said  corporation  shall  possess  the  general  power,  right 
and  privilege,  and  be  subject  to  the  provisions  contained  in  Title  3 of 
Chapter  18  of  the  first  part  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  and  the  acts  amendatory  thereof,  and  supplementary  thereto,  so 
far  as  the  same  are  in  force  and  applicable,  and  in  accordance  with  this  act. 

Section  4.  The  said  corporation  shall  in  law  be  capable  of  taking, 
receiving  and  holding  absolutely  and  in  trust  for  its  general  uses  and 
purposes,  and  for  any  particular  department  of  its  work,  and  for  any 
particular  Association  by  gift,  devise,  bequest,  grant  or  purchase,  subject 
to  the  limitation  as  to  amount  hereinafter  stated,  real  and  personal  prop- 
erty, and,  with  the  consent  of  the  board  of  trustees  herein  provided  for. 
of  letting,  leasing  and  conveying  the  same,  and  shall  also  have  power  with 
the  like  consent  to  issue  bonds  and  secure  the  same  by  mortgages  upon 
its  real' estate  and  its  improvement;  the  consent  of  the  said  trustees  to  be 
evidenced  by  affixing  their  seal  to  the  instruments  of  conveyance  and 
bonds  and  mortgages,  and  causing  the  same  to  be  signed  by  their  president 
and  treasurer,  in  pursuance  of  a resolution  of  their  board  to  that  effect. 
Said  corporation  may  take  and  hold  as  aforesaid  property  not  exceeding 
in  value  seven  million  dollars,  or  the  yearly  income  derived  from  which 
shall  not  exceed  one  million  five  hundred  thousand  dollars.  In  comput- 
ing the  value  of  such  property,  no  increase  in  value  arising  otherwise  than 
from  improvements  made  thereon  shall  be  taken  into  account.  And  the 
real  estate  of  this  corporation  shall  not  be  liable  for  any  debt  or  obliga- 
tion of  the  corporation,  unless  the  same  shall  have  been  contracted  with 


18 


the  approval  of  the  said  hoard  of  trustees.  All  devises  and  bequests,  how- 
ever, to  the  said  corporation  shall  be  subject  to  the  provisions  of  the  Act 
of  the  Legislature  relating  to  Wills,  passed  April  13,  1860,  and  the  acts 
amendatory  thereto. 

Section  5.  The  said  corporation  shall  have  the  power  to  make  and 
adopt  a constitution,  by-laws,  rules  and  regulations  for  the  government  of 
its  business,  the  management  of  its  affairs,  the  choice,  powers  and  duties 
of  its  officers  and  agents,  and  from  time  to  time  to  repeal  or  alter  such 
constitution,  by-laws,  rules  and  regulations. 

Section  6.  All  real  property,  which  shall  be  given  to  or  acquired  by 
this  corporation,  and  all  gifts  and  bequests  of  money  to  be  held  in  trust, 
shall  be  held  and  managed  by  a board  of  fifteen  trustees,  a majority  of 
whom  shall  constitute  a quorum  for  the  transaction  of  all  business.  The 
chairman  of  the  said  International  Committee  shall,  for  the  time,  be 
ex-officio  a member  of  the  said  Board  of  Trustees.  Robert  Fulton  Cutting, 
Bowles  Colgate,  Charles  Lanier,  John  S.  Bussing,  John  C.  Havemeyer, 
John  Noble  Stearns,  Samuel  Colgate.  James  Talcott,  James  Carey  Thomas. 
Washington  C.  De  Pauw,  Henry  T.  Willing,  Dan  P.  Eells,  Charles  W. 
Lovelace,  Jonathan  N.  Harris  and  the  chairman  of  the  said  International 
Committee  are  hereby  created  such  Board  of  Trustees  and  whenever  a 
vacancy  shall  occur  in  the  said  Board  of  Trustees,  the  same  shall  be  filled 
by  a majority  vote  of  those  remaining;  and  the  income  which  the  said 
Board  of  Trustees  shall  receive  from  the  property  under  their  manage- 
ment and  the  said  property  shall  be  devoted  to  the  purposes  of  this  act 
and  for  no  other  purpose,  and,  so  long  as  the  said  International  Com- 
mittee shall  so  expend  the  same,  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  pay  over 
to  the  treasurer  of  the  said  corporation  the  income  of  the  property  of  this 
corporation  so  managed  by  them. — International  Convention  Rules  and 
Legislation,  Association  Press.  X.  I'.,  1912,  />.  23. 

ACCEPTANCE  AND  ADOPTION  OF  ACT  OF  INCORPORATION 

Resolved,  That  we  accept  the  charter  which  the  Committee  has  ob- 
tained in  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  the  last  convention  at  Cleve- 
land.— Convention  of  1883,  Milwaukee,  p.  64. 

BY-LAWS  OF  THE  INTERNATIONAL  COMMITTEE  OF 
YOUNG  MEN’S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATIONS 

Section  1.  The  regular  meetings  of  the  International  Committee  shall 
be  held  on  the  second  Thursday  of  each  month,  except  as  otherwise 
ordered  by  a vote  of  the  Committee  or  by  action  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee. 

Section  2.  Special  meetings  may  be  called  by  the  chairman  and  shall 
be  called  upon  the  written  request  of  three  members  of  the  Committee. 

Section  3.  Seven  members  of  the  Committee  shall  constitute  a quorum 
for  the  transaction  of  business. 

Section  4.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Committee  following  the  In- 
ternational Convention,  there  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  from  the  member- 
ship of  the  Committee  a chairman,  four  vice-chairmen  (two  primarily  for 
Home  Work  Division  and  two  primarily  for  Foreign  Work  Division), 


19 


and  a treasurer.  At  tlie  same  time  there  shall  also  he  elected  a recording 
secretary.  All  of  these  officers  shall  serve  until  their  successors  shall  have 
been  chosen.  The  Committee  may  also  at  its  discretion  elect  an  assistant 
treasurer. 

Section  5.  The  Executive  Committee,  composed  of  the  chairman,  the 
four  vice-chairmen,  the  treasurer,  and  three  additional  members  appointed 
by  the  chairman,  with  the  approval  of  the  International  Committee,  shall 
be  the  representative  of  the  International  Committee  in  the  interim  between 
its  meetings.  All  actions  of  the  Executive  Committee  shall  be  subject  to 
ratification  by  the  International  Committee. 

Section  6.  Immediately  following  his  election,  in  consultation  with 
the  vice-chairman  of  the  Division  concerned,  the  chairman  shall  appoint 
such  subcommittees  as  shall  have  been  designated  by  the  International 
Committee.  These  subcommittees  shall  have  general  charge  of  the  work 
of  the  departments  to  which  they  are  respectively  related,  working  in  con- 
junction with  the  Executive  Committee  and  in  accordance  with  budgets 
regularly  approved  by  the  International  Committee. 

Section  7.  Each  subcommittee  shall  meet  at  the  call  of  its  chairman 
monthly,  or  as  often  as  business  may  require.  To  these  meetings  the 
chairman  and  the  appropriate  vice-chairman  of  the  International  Com- 
mittee and  the  general  secretaries  shall  be  invited.  Written  reports  of 
these  meetings  and  of  all  actions  of  the  subcommittees  shall  be  submitted 
to  the  International  Committee  for  approval. 

Section  S.  These  By-Laws  may  be  amended  by  a vote  of  two-thirds  of 
the  members  present  at  any  regular  meeting,  provided  notice  of  such  pro- 
posed amendment  shall  have  been  given  in  writing  at  a previous  meeting 
and  mailed  to  each  member  of  the  International  Committee  with  the  notice 
of  the  meeting,  and  provided  further  that  not  less  than  seven  affirmative 
votes  are  cast  in  favor  of  such  amendment. — International  Convention 
Rules  and  Legislation,  Association  Press,  N.  Y.,  1912,  [>.  27 ; and  Minutes 
of  the  International  Committee,  June  16,  1915. 

HOME  WORK:  FIELD,  FUNCTIONS,  AND  DEPARTMENTS 

Resolutions  Authorizing  the  Work  of  the  International  Committee. 

Resolved : That  we  express  our  approval  of  the  general  work  of 
the  Committee,  . . . and  that  we  favor  the  continuance  of  the  de- 

partments* of  the  home  work  as  heretofore  pursued  under  the  instructions 
of  the  Conventions,  viz. : 


*The  dates  on  which  the  International  Conventions  took  initial  action  authorizing 
these  departments  are  as  follows: 

1.  Business  and  Finance,  1869,  Portland,  p.  48. 

2.  Publication,  1899,  Grand  Rapids,  p.  60. 

.1.  Association  Men,  1866,  Albany,  p.  55;  1899,  Grand  Rapids,  p.  61. 

4.  Field,  1885,  Atlanta,  p.  59;  1899,  Grand  Rapids,  p.  60. 

5.  County,  1901,  Boston,  p.  282. 

6.  Railroad,  1875,  Richmond,  p.  67. 

7.  Industrial,  1907,  Washington,  p.  107. 

8.  Student,  1877,  Louisville,  p.  77. 

9.  Army  and  Navy,  1899,  Grand  Rapids,  p.  60. 

10.  Colored  Men’s,  1876,  Toronto,  p.  78. 

11.  Religious,  1897,  Mobile,  p.  55;  1899,  Grand  Rapids,  p.  60;  1901.  Boston,  p.  282. 

12.  Educational,  1893,  Indianapolis,  p.  114. 

13.  Physical,  1876,  Toronto,  p.  78;  1889,  Philadelphia,  p.  70. 

14.  Bovs’.  1901,  Boston,  p.  283.  , 

15.  Secretarial.  1881,  Cleveland,  p.  74. 


20 


1.  Business  and  Finance 

2.  Publication 

3.  Association  Men 

4.  Field 

5.  County 

6.  Railroad 

7.  Industrial 


9.  Army  and  Navy 

10.  Colored  Men’s 

11.  Religious 

12.  Educational 

13.  Physical 

14.  Boys’ 

15.  Secretarial 


8.  Student 

— Report  of  the  Committee  on  International  Committee’s  Report, 
as  adopted  by  the  Toronto  (1910)  Convention.  Convention  Report,  p.  149. 

Guiding  Principles  and  Chief  Points  of  Emphasis  in  the  Policy  of  the 
International  Committee 

1.  To  promote  closer  correlation,  cooperation,  and  unity  of  the  many 
and  varied  departments  and  phases  of  Association  work. 

2.  To  recognize  and  develop  local  independence  and  initiative,  and 
to  magnify  and  strengthen  the  home  rule  principle,  as  illustrated  in  national 
and  state  supervisory  agencies. 

3.  To  ensure  that  all  the  work  shall  be  carried  forward  with  truly 
scientific  thoroughness. 

4.  To  encourage  wise  expansion  in  all  phases  of  the  work  through- 
out North  America. 

5.  To  hold  in  prominence  the  spiritual  objective  of  the  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Associations. 

6.  To  reassert  the  lay  character  of  the  Association  Movement. 

7.  To  make  much  more  vital  and  effective  our  acknowledged  rela- 
tionship to  the  Church. 

8.  To  help  determine  the  relation  which  the  Association  should  sus- 
tain to  other  organizations  and  movements  concerned  with  young  men 
and  boys. 

9.  To  give  larger  attention  to  one  of  the  most  fundamental  needs  of 
the  Association  Brotherhood — that  of  ensuring  a leadership,  both  lay  and 
secretarial,  adequate  to  meet  unprecedented  demands. 

10.  To  maintain  the  original  international  character  of  the  Move- 
ment, viz.,  the  union  of  the  Associations  of  the  United  States  and  Canada. 

11.  To  guide  the  Associations  in  meeting  the  literally  world-wide 
opportunities  of  the  present  hour. 


( Report  of  the  International  Committee,  Cleveland  Convention,  1916, 
p.  18.) 


That  the  International  Committee  be  authorized  to  take  prompt  and 
effective  measures  towards  a nation-wide  movement  for  the  promotion 
of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  with  the  Army  and  Navy  com- 
mensurate with  the  needs  of  the  entire  personnel,  to  include  new  buildings 
and  such  maintenance  or  protection  funds  as  will  insure  the  continuation 
and  enlargement  of  the  work  both  with  and  without  equipment  and  will 


Army  and  Navy 


21 


make  possible  the  extension  of  the  movement  to  the  larger  isolated  posts 
and  stations  both  at  home  and  abroad. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland, 
p.  155. 

That  the  European  War  Work  of  the  International  Committee  be 
most  earnestly  commended  and  that  the  Associations  and  their  constitu- 
encies be  called  upon  to  provide  the  funds  necessary  to  meet  the  un- 
paralleled opportunity  to-day  presented  by  the  millions  of  men  under  arms 
and  in  the  prisoner-of-war  camps. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  />.  162. 

Committee  on  Associations 

That  the  “special  Committee  on  Associations”  appointed  by  the  Wash- 
ington Convention  be  continued,  and  that  it  be  authorized  to  increase  its 
membership  for  the  more  thorough  study  of  the  various  problems  involved 
in  its  work,  and  that  it  be  requested  to  take  into  close  consultation  trusted 
leaders  of  the  Churches  and  of  the  Associations. — Convention  of  1916, 
Cleveland . p.  163. 

Boys’  Work  Department 

That  the  International  Committee  give  special  attention  to  the  Asso- 
ciation problem  of  interesting,  developing,  and  utilizing  that  part  of  the 
membership  ranging  from  seventeen  to  twenty-one  years  of  age. — Con- 
vention of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  155. 

“That  the  International  Committee  is  authorized  to  initiate  in  the 
unoccupied  fields,  wherever  feasible,  some  organized  form  of  Association 
work  among  High  School  boys  which  may  at  a later  date  be  absorbed  by 
any  more  complete  type  of  Association  which  seeks  to  occupy  the  field.— 
Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  155. 

That  the  International  Committee  make  special  effort  to  enlist  the  State 
Committees  and  the  local  Associations  in  organizing,  fostering,  and  super- 
vising work  for  the  very  large  number  of  boys  who  cannot  be  reached 
through  the  activities  conducted  within  the  Association  buildings. — Con- 
vention of  1916.  Cleveland,  p.  155. 

Building  Bureau 

That  the  International  Committee  establish  and  maintain  in  its  head- 
quarters, in  New  York,  an  Association  Building  Bureau  through  which 
special  service  could  be  rendered  to  Associations  in  connection  with  their 
building  enterprises. — Convention  of  1913.  Cincinnati,  p.  166. 

Business  and  Finance 

That  annual  budgets  amounting  to  at  least  $425,000  for  the  Home 
Work  and  at  least  $600,000  for  the  Foreign  Work  of  the  International 
Committee  be  authorized.* — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland . p.  178. 

*The  first  authorized  budget  of  the  International  Committee  was  that  fixed  by  the 
Convention  held  in  Portland,  Maine,  in  1869,  at  $5,000.  The  rate  of  increase  from 
this  beginning  to  the  budget  adopted  by  the  Cleveland  Convention,  1916,  is  indicated 
by  the  following  citation  of  budget  statistics  at  intervals  of  ten  years: 

The  budget  for  1876  was  $20,000;  that  for  1886,  $35,000  with  the  recommenda- 
tion that  if  possible  the  amount  be  raised  to  $40,000;  and  that  for  1896  at  least 
$75,000  for  the  Home  Work  and  $19,415  for  the  Foreign  Work;  and  for  1906  the 
budget  was  fixed  at  within  $160,000  for  the  work  on  the  home  or  North  American 
field  and  within  $105,000  for  the  work  abroad. 

The  foreign  work  of  the  Association  was  begun  in  1889  with  an  expenditure 
of  $7,357.58. 


?? 


City  Department 

That  the  plan  of  the  International  Committee  of  appointing  a Counsel- 
ling Commission  on  City  Association  Work  to  help  the  Committee  in 
meeting  City  Association  problems  and  opportunities  be  commended,  and 
that  necessary  steps  be  taken  by  the  Committee  to  carry  into  effect  the 
plans  of  the  Commission,  as  outlined  and  proposed  in  their  report  to  the 
City  Association  Section. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  184. 

Colored  Men’s  Department 

Resolved:  In  view  of  the  urgent  need  for  aggressive  effort  among 
colored  young  men,  that  this  Convention  urge  upon  the  International, 
State,  and  Provincial  Committees,  and  local  boards  of  directors,  the  claims 
upon  our  Associations  of  this  work  and  these  young  men. — Convention  of 
1910,  Toronto,  p.  152. 


Community  Plan 

That  the  International  Committee  be  authorized,  in  cooperation  and 
agreement  with  the  State  committees,  to  organize  Association  work  on  the 
Community  Plan  in  cities  where  the  securing  of  suitable  Association  build- 
ings is  not  yet  possible  or  desirable,  and  to  cooperate  in  making  further 
demonstration  as  to  the  feasibility  of  adapting  and  developing  this  type 
of  work. — Convention  of  1913,  Cincinnati,  />.  211.  ( Resolution  XXVII.) 

District  Executive  Secretaries 

That,  to  provide  for  a more  efficient  relation  to  State  work,  for  a 
better  coordination  of  the  work  of  all  its  departments,  particularly  as 
related  to  State  work,  and  for  a more  helpful  relation  to  the  general 
administrative  problems  of  the  larger  city  Associations,  there  be  added 
to  the  executive  department  such  secretaries  of  ability  and  experience 
as  may  be  required;  some  of  these  executive  secretaries  to  represent  the 
Executive  Committee,  each  in  the  particular  territory  assigned  to  him. 
and  all  of  them  to  report  direct  to  the  executive  department.  These 
executive  secretaries  to  replace  the  present  force  of  general  field  secre- 
taries.— Convention  of  1913,  Cincinnati,  p.  165. 

Educational  Department 

The  Convention  recognizes  the  following  basis  for  the  organization 
and  development  of  the  Educational  Work  of  the  International  Committee : 

1.  The  important  and  vital  place  of  Educational  Work  in  the  realiza- 
tion of  the  supreme  objectives  of  the  Association  Movement. 

2.  The-  success  of,  and  large  service  rendered  by  many  Educational 
Departments  now  in  operation. 

3.  The  valuable  fund  of  knowledge  regarding  organization  and 
method,  accumulated  as  the  result  of  study,  experiment,  and  experience 
in  the  educational  field. 

4.  The  desirability  of  development,  both  intensive  and  extensive,  of 
ibis  phase  of  Association  work  through  carefully  considered  and  matured 


23 


plans  based  on  existing  practice,  knowledge,  and  experience  and  on  the 
results  of  expert  study  and  research  of  aims  and  methods  in  Educational 
Work. 

5.  The  importance  of  formulating  such  plans  for  development  with 
due  consideration  of  the  work  of  other  educational  agencies,  public  and 
private,  and  of  local  conditions. 

And  further  recommends  that  the  International  Committee  should 
employ  as  the  head  of  its  Educational  Work  a man  who  shall,  as  his 
first  responsibility,  prepare  a comprehensive  plan  of  the  development 
of  its  Educational  Work  and  that  the  Committee,  on  the  acceptance  of 
this  plan,  shall  employ  educational  specialists  as  aids  to  the  head  of  the 
Department  in  carrying  out  this  program  of  progress. — Convention  of 
1916,  Cleveland,  p.  158. 

Industrial  Work 

That  the  International  Committee  be  authorized  to  recognize  in  in- 
dustrial communities,  wherever  circumstances  make  it  necessary  or  par- 
ticularly desirable,  and  after  conference  with  and  concurrence  of  the 
State  and  local  Associations  concerned,  provisional  Associations  on  the 
same  plan  as  that  followed  in  railroad  work. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleve- 
land, p.  155. 

Physical  Department 

That  the  International  Committee  be  authorized  to  consider  the  feasi- 
bility of  a large  international  conference  of  volunteer  leaders  and  laymen 
to  discuss  the  fundamental  principles  and  objectives  of  the  Physical  De- 
partment.— Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  157. 

Publication  Department 

That  in  view  of  the  fact  that  Association  j\Jen  is  the  direct  medium 
of  conveying  information  of  the  Association’s  purposes  and  world-wide 
activities  to  the  entire  Association  body;  in  view  of  the  great  annual  loss 
of  members  largely  due  to  lack  of  education;  and  also  in  view  of  the 
need  of  an  intelligent  membership  and  constituency,  the  “Every-Member- 
A-Subscriber”  Plan  be  recommended. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland, 
p.  160. 

Railroad  Department 

That  the  Railroad  Department  of  the  International  Committee  en- 
deavor to  occupy  as  early  as  possible  important  points  in  Western  fields 
in  cooperation  with  State  and  local  Associations  at  points  where  it  is 
deemed  advisable  to  do  so,  even  though  in  the  initial  stages  it  be  necessary 
to  appeal  to  City  Associations  in- great  railroad  centers  for  financial  aid.- — 
Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  171. 

Street  Railway  Branches 

That  the  International  Committee  is  hereby  instructed  to  take 
the  necessary  steps  looking  towards  the  establishment  of  street  rail- 
way branch  Associations;  that  a careful  investigation  of  the  field  be  made 


24 


and  a report  be  presented  at  the  next  International  Convention. — Conven- 
tion of  1913,  Cincinnati,  p.  225. 

Religious  Work 

That  in  the  light  of  the  experience  of  those  Associations  which  have 
carefully  tested  the  plan  of  Religious  Interviews,  especially  by  Christian 
laymen,  the  International  Committee  give  increased  attention  to  the  wise 
use  of  this  method. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  171. 

Student  Department 

For  the  Alternate  or  Washington  basis  of  membership  in  Student 
Associations,  see  p. 

That  the  Alumni  Movement  be  recognized  as  a division  of  the  Student 
Department  of  the  International  Committee,  and  that  it  be  developed  in 
agreement  with  leaders  of  State,  city,  and  student  Associations. — Conven- 
tion of  1913,  Cincinnati,  p.  223. 

1.  That  in  response  to  the  earnest  request  of  the  Student  Section  of 
the  Convention,  the  International  Committee  be  authorized  to  afford  an 
opportunity  for  representatives  of  the  Student  Associations  assembled  at 
the  coming  series  of  Student  Conferences  to  elect  a Committee  of  Counsel 
which  shall,  from  time  to  time,  between  now  and  the  next  International 
Convention,  give  counsel  to  the  Student  Department  of  the  International 
Committee.  This  Committee  shall  have  power  to  fill  vacancies. 

2.  That  the  International  Committee  be  authorized  to  make  provision 
for  the  election  of  a similar  committee  at  the  next  International  Con- 
vention. 

3.  That  the  International  Committee  continue  to  study  how  to  make 
the  Student  Section  a more  efficient  agency  for  giving  expression  to 
student  opinion. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland , p.  176. 

FOREIGN  WORK:  RESOLUTIONS  RELATING  TO  ASSOCIATION 
WORK  IN  THE  FOREIGN  FIELD 

Resolution  Authorizing  Continuance  of  F'oreign  Work 

Resolved:  That  we  recommend  the  continuance  of  the  Foreign 
Work  in  accordance  with  the  methods  heretofore  followed  in  close  co- 
operation with  the  regular  Missionary  Societies  of  the  churches  and  that 
the  proposed  Annual  Budget  of  not  less  than  $250,000  be  approved,  it 
being  understood  that  the  salaries  of  all  secretaries  added  to  the  Foreign 
Staff  shall  be  assured  before  they  are  sent  to  their  appointments. — 
Report  of  the  Committee  on  International  Committee’s  Report,  as  adopted 
by  the  Toronto  (1910)  Convention,  Convention  Report,  p.  150. 

Resolution  Empowering  the  International  Committee  to  Establish  Asso- 
ciation Work  in  the  Foreign  Mission  Field 

Resolved,  That  the  International  Committee  be  empowered  to  establish 
such  Associations,  and  place  such  secretaries  in  the  foreign  mission  field, 
as  in  its  judgment  may  be  proper,  and  to  receive  such  contributions  for 

25: 


this  work  as  Associations  or  individuals  may  contribute  to  it. — Convention 
of  1889,  Philadelphia,  p.  70. 

Aim  and  Basis  of  Membership  of  Association  Work  in  the  Foreign 

Mission  Field 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  approves  and  commends  the  action 
of  the  International  Committee,  concerning  the  establishing  of  Associa- 
tions and  the  placing  of  secretaries  upon  foreign  fields,  as  given  upon 
page  43  in  the  Year  Book  for  1890,  in  which  the  policy  of  the  Committee 
is  defined  to  be,  a specific  work  for  the  saving  and  developing  of  young 
men,  and  upon  the  lines  recognized  as  belonging  to  the  Association  work 
of  this  country.  This  action  declares  that  it  is  not  contemplated  to  send 
out  general  missionaries,  but  provides  that  the  chief  aim  of  any  American 
representative  sent  out  under  the  auspices  of  the  Committee  to  foreign 
fields,  shall  be  to  train  and  develop  native  Christian  young  men  in  the 
principles  and  methods  of  Association  work,  and  to  plant  native,  self- 
sustaining  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations,  rather  than  to  lay  the 
basis  for  the  call  and  coming  of  American  associates  in  that  work.  It  also 
provides  that  the  work  of  such  American  representatives  shall  be  carried 
on  in  harmony  with,  and  in  conformity  to,  the  deliverances  and  instruc- 
tions of  the  International  Conventions,  and  further  that  the  representa- 
tives in  foreign  lands  shall  work,  as  here,  in  harmony  with  the  evangelical 
missionaries  and  pastors  of  churches,  and  shall  seek  by  all  means,  to  secure 
their  sympathy  and  cooperation.  These  American  representatives  shall 
be  known  as  secretaries  of  the  International  Committee,  for  the  fields  to 
which  they  are  sent ; and  further,  that  the  Convention  earnestly  request 
all  Associations  to  cooperate  in  carrying  out  the  policy  thus  declared. 

Be  it  further  resolved,  That  the  test  of  active  membership  in  all 
foreign  Associations,  working  under  the  supervision  of  the  International 
Committee,  be  the  Portland  Test,*  the  same  as  is  in  force  in  this  land. — - 
Convention  of  1891,  Kansas  City,  p.  81. 

Authorization  of  International  Committee  to  Participate  in  Carrying  Out 
of  Resolutions  on  Foreign  Work 

Resolved,  That  the  International  Committee  be  authorized  to  cooperate 
with  the  local  and  State  Associations  in  carrying  out  the  program  of  For- 
eign Work  as  outlined  in  the  following  recommendations  of  the  “Commis- 
sion on  the  Relation  of  the  \Torth  American  Young  Men’s  Christian  Asso- 
ciations to  the  Foreign  Work,”  and  endorsed  by  the  City,  Student,  and 
Rural  Sections  of  this  Convention. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  171. 

The  following  eight  recommendations  are  extracts  from  the  Report 
of  the  Commission  on  the  Relation  of  the  North  American  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Associations  to  the  Foreign  Work,  made  to  and  adopted  by 
the  Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland  (Convention  Report,  pages  364  to  396): 

1.  Aid  to  Foreign  Secretaries  on  Furlough 

a.  That  the  Foreign  Department  receive  the  support  of  the  Associa- 
tions in  meeting  the  expense  involved  in  a scientific  study  of  the  needs 


See  p.  30. 


26 


and  use  of  the  furlough,  and  the  coaching  and  training  of  its  furloughed 
men ; and 

b.  That  the  Associations  of  North  America  offer  through  the  Foreign 
Department,  to  the  secretaries  returning  upon  furlough,  their  facilities 
for  training,  and  where  foreign  secretaries  are  assigned  for  a period  of 
six  to  eight  months,  that  such  Associations  agree  to  provide  for  them 
diversified  training,  personal  coaching,  a study  of  community  needs,  of 
social  and  religious  movements,  and  vocational  training  to  the  largest 
extent  within  their  capacity. 

2.  Systematised  Guidance  of  Reading  and  Study  of  Foreign  Secretaries 

W e Recommend  that  the  Foreign  Department,  after  consulting 
with  the  National  Committees  in  the  foreign  fields,  prepare  the  way  for : 

a.  Several  optional  courses  of  reading  annually  revised — historical, 
social,  Associational,  and  Biblical. 

b.  Recommended  Standard-Reading-Correspondence  Courses  which 
may  be  followed  under  the  direction  of  universities  in  America. 

c.  Correspondence  courses  which  might  be  taken  in  certain  subjects 
in  conjunction  with  one  or  more  of  the  Association  colleges. 

d.  If  the  above  are  not  available  or  adequate,  that  the  Foreign  De- 
partment consider  establishing,  after  full  investigation,  of  correspondence 
courses  in  charge  of  an  employed  officer  who  would  devote  himself  to  the 
conservation  and  growth  of  the  men  now  in  secretarial  positions  who  may 
desire  to  take  advantage  of  such  systematized  guidance. 

e.  That  the  International  Committee  prepare  a syllabus  to  be  used  by 
foreign  secretaries  in  coordinating,  filing,  card-cataloguing,  and  system- 
atizing the  results  of  study,  reading,  and  observation,  together  with  an 
efficiency  outline  of  library  and  office  method  and  equipment. 

3.  Means  of  Strengthening  the  Vital  Spiritual  Union  Between  Leaders 

of  the  North  American  Associations  and  the  Personnel  and  Prob- 
lems of  the  Foreign  Work 

a.  That  this  Convention  consider  ways  and  means  of  bringing  the 
leadership  of  the  North  American  Associations  themselves,  both  lay  and 
secretarial,  into  more  vital  spiritual  union  with  the  personnel  and  prob- 
lems of  the  work  abroad;  and 

b.  That  it  be  suggested  to  the  International  Committee  that  they 
recommend  secretaries  on  furlough  to  those  home  Associations  for  train- 
ing and  to  those  colleges  and  universities  for  postgraduate  study  where 
there  will  be  the  largest  opportunities  for  spiritual  development ; and 

c.  That  after  suitable  preparation,  the  International  Committee  be 
requested  to  formulate  a reasonable  program  which  can  be  submitted 
through  the  various  national  committees  and  national  conferences  of 
secretaries  abroad,  w'hereby  men  in  isolated  posts  will  be  assisted  in 
securing  the  most  helpful  devotional  publications,  year  after  year,  and 
will  be  assisted  into  helpful  spiritual  relations,  not  only  to  bridge  periods 
of  isolation,  but  those  long  periods  of  comparative  inaction  while  men 

27 


arc  acquiring  the  native  languages,  as  well  as  to  prevent  that  serious 
overwork  which  comes  from  undermanned  stations;  and 

d.  Resolved  that  the  International  Committee  be  requested  to  lay 
before  each  succeeding  Convention  its  various  problems,  not  only  in  regard 
to  financial  support,  but  particularly  in  regard  to  the  selection,  training, 
and  conservation  of  the  secretarial  leadership  for  the  world  field,  with 
the  definite  intention  that  the  conscience  of  the  Associations  shall  make 
this  the  brotherhood’s  work  in  increasing  measure,  rather  than  primarily 
the  work  of  its  Committee. 

4.  Immediate  Program  and  Budget 

a.  That  for  the  immediate  future  the  sending  out  and  supporting 
of  two  hundred  foreign  secretaries  be  considered  a reasonable  and  prac- 
ticable program  for  the  Foreign  Department,  and  should  be  carried  out  as 
soon  as  the  men  and  funds  are  available;  and 

b.  That  for  the  immediate  future  the  Associations  of  North  America 
give  their  earnest  support  in  providing  an  annual  budget  of  at  least 
$600,000  and  an  annual  expenditure  for  foreign  buildings  of  at  least 
$500,000. 

5.  Cooperating  Commission 

That,  in  view  of  the  magnitude  and  urgency  of  the  situation  con- 
fronting the  North  American  Associations  in  the  non-Christian  world, 
and  the  grave  dangers  which  will  result  from  a failure  to  seize  and  to 
press  the  present  unprecedented  opportunity,  steps  should  be  taken  bv 
the  Foreign  Department  of  the  International  Committee  to  organize  and 
carry  through  in  the  near  future  a comprehensive  forward  movement  to 
augment  greatly  the  resources  of  this  part  of  our  common  work,  and  that 
the  entire  Brotherhood  be  called  upon  to  support  such  an  adequate  policy 
of  advance  in  all  ways  within  their  power. 

We  Therefore  Recommend,  That  the  Convention  authorize  the  ap- 
pointment by  the  International  Committee  of  a Cooperating  Commission 
representing  the  Brotherhood  at  large  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
upon  ways  and  means  to  achieve  this  large  objective. 

6.  Conservation  of  Leadership 

This  Commission  Recommends  that  the  Foreign  Department  of  the 
International  Committee  be  requested  to  cooperate  with  the  Board  of 
Missionary  Preparation  of  the  Conference  of  Mission  Boards  of  North 
America,  through  the  visits  of  traveling  college  secretaries  (both  state 
and  international),  the  summer  schools,  the  secretaries  of  the  Student 
Volunteer  Movement,  and  the  representatives  of  the  Fellowship  Move- 
ment, to  call  to  the  attention  of  students  those  combinations  of  studies 
in  colleges  .which  will  most  certainly  prepare  men  for  Christian  work 
in  different  foreign  lands  either  under  regular  Boards  of  Missions  or 
under  the  Foreign  Department — this  to  be  undertaken  as  a step  in  the 
conservation  of  leadership. 


28 


7.  City  Associations  as  Training  Centers  for  Foreign  Secretaries 

We  Recommend,  That  this  Convention,  by  resolution,  impress  upon 
boards  of  directors  and  general  secretaries  the  great  desirability  of  pro- 
viding highly  trained  men  in  the  city  field  for  appointment  abroad ; and 
that  City  Associations  be  expected  to  take  upon  their  staff  men  whom 
they  are  deliberately  training  for  such  appointment  upon  their  demonstra- 
tion of  fitness. 

8.  A Comprehensive  Foreign  Work  Program 
We  Recommend: 

a.  That  the  North  American  Associations  recognize  and  hereby  de- 
clare that  the  obligation  for  the  foreign  work  program  rests  primarily 
upon  our  Associations,  and  that  each  Association  annually,  through  its 
board  of  directors,  should  adopt  an  adequate  foreign  work  program. 

b.  That  the  foreign  work  program  of  an  Association  should  include : 

(1.)  A representative  foreign  work  committee; 

(2.)  A foreign  work  club  or  organization  composed  of  contribu- 
tors, with  a leading  Christian  layman  as  chairman ; 

(3.)  A member  of  the  employed  staff  directly  responsible  for 
promoting  the  foreign  work  program ; 

(4.)  An  adequate  educational  policy; 

(5.)  An  effective  plan  for  enlisting  intercession; 

(6.)  A definite,  financial  objective  which  shall  be  covered  by  indi- 
vidual subscriptions,  if  possible  not  later  than  June  1st  of 
each  year ; the  amount  of  the  subscriptions  to  be  forwarded 
to  the  International  Committee,  preferably  early  in  the  year, 
or  in  monthly  or  quarterly  payments ; 

(7.)  Provision  for  special  attention  to  representative  visitors 
and  students  from  foreign  nations  who  may  be  located  in 
our  cities,  with  a view  to  acquainting  such  men  with  the 
equipment,  activities,  and  program  of  the  Associations ; and 
also,  to  promoting  fellowship  between  them  and  our 
members. 

c.  That  the  executive  employed  officers  at  once  endeavor  to  secure 
the  adoption  of  this  program  for  foreign  work  by  the  respective  Associa- 
tions. 

d.  That  the  various  state  organizations  in  the  United  States  and 
the  National  Council  in  Canada  formulate  and  promote  a foreign  work 
program  which  shall  make  available  to  all  Associations  the  vision,  method, 
and  motive  for  participation  in  foreign  work. 

e.  That  local  Associations  avail  themselves  of  the  experience  and 
leadership  of  the  supervisory  committees,  through  cooperative  endeavor, 
to  educate  and  enlist  an  adequate  financial  constituency. 


29 


PROCEDURE  BETWEEN  CONVENTIONS 


That  in  facing  the  situations,  emergencies,  and  opportunities  which 
may  present  themselves  to  the  International  Committee  between  now  and 
the  time  of  the  next  convention,  they  be  guided  by  the  principles  empha- 
sized in  their  report  to  the  Cleveland  Convention.1 — Convention  of  1916, 
Clcireland,  />.  163. 


V.  RELATION  TO  THE  CHURCH 

PAGE 


Paris  Basis,  Cincinnati  (1856)  30 

Basis  for  Active  Membership,  Detroit  (1868),  Portland 

(1869),  Washington  (1907),  Cincinnati  (1913) 30 

Eighteen  Resolutions  on  Relation  to  the  Church, 

Cincinnati  (1913)  33 

Cooperation  with  the  Sunday  School  Movement, 

Cleveland  (1916)  36 

Association  and  Church  Work  in  State  Universities, 
Cleveland  (1916)  36 


PARIS  BASIS 

The  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  seek  to  unite  those  young 
men,  who,  regarding  Jesus  Christ  as  their  God  and  Saviour,  according  to 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  desire  to  be  His  disciples,  in  their  doctrine  and  in 
their  life,  and  to  associate  their  efforts  for  the  extension  of  His  kingdom 
among  young  men. — Adopted  by  the  Convention  of  1856,  Cincinnati,  p. 
46;  and  still  in  force  as  forming  the  basis  of  the  world  relationships  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Associations  of  Xorth  America. 


BASIS  FOR  ACTIVE  MEMBERSHIP" 

Resolved,  That,  as  these  organizations  bear  the  name  of  Christian, 
and  profess  to  be  engaged  directly  in  the  Saviour’s  service,  so  it  is  clearly 
their  duty  to  maintain  the  control  and  management  of  all  their  affairs, 
in  the  hands  of  those  who  profess  to  love  and  publicly  avow  their  faith 
in  Jesus,  the  Redeemer,  as  divine,  and  who  testify  their  faith  by  becoming 
and  remaining  members  of  churches  held  to  be  Evangelical,  and  that  such 
persons,  and  none  others,  should  be  allowed  to  vote  or  hold  office.— Con- 
vention of  1868,  Detroit,  p.  94. 

Resolved,  That  the  Associations  organized  after  this  date  shall  be 
entitled  to  representation  in  future  Conferences  of  the  Associated  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Associations  of  Xorth  America,  upon  conditions  that  they 


‘See  page  21,  above. 

-That  this  Convention  earnestly  recommend  to  all  Young  Men's  Christian 
Associations  existing  or  hereafter  to  be  constituted  to  adopt,  as  a part  of  their  organiza- 
tion. membership  in  some  evangelical  church  as  a prerequisite  to  active  membership. 
— Conventions  of  1854.  Buffalo.  />.  54;  and  1856.  Cincinnati.  /».  57. 


30 


l>e  severally  composed  of  young  men  in  communion  with  Evangelical 
churches  (provided  that  in  places  where  Associations  are  formed  by  a 
single  denomination,  members  of  other  denominations  are  not  excluded 
therefrom),  and  active  membership,  and  the  right  to  hold  office  be  con- 
ferred only  upon  young  men  who  are  members  in  good  standing  in 
Evangelical  churches. — Com  cation  of  1869,  Portland , Maine,  p.  58.  Reaf- 
firmed in  Convention  of  1907,  Washington , D.  C.,  fi.  111. 

And  we  hold  those  churches  to  be  Evangelical  which,  maintaining  the 
Holy  Scriptures  to  be  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice,  do 
believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  (the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  King 
of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords,  in  whom  dwelleth  the  fullness  of  the  God- 
head bodily,  and  who  was  made  sin  for  us,  though  knowing  no  sin,  bear- 
ing our  sins  in  His  own  body  on  the  tree),  as  the  only  name  under  Heaven 
given  among  men  whereby  we  must  be  saved  from  everlasting  punish- 
ment.— Convention  of  186)9,  Portland.  Maine,  p.  51. 

Part  I. 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  Convention  reaffirm  that  vital  and  fundamental 
relation  of  the  North  American  Associations  to  the  Evangelical  churches 
which  was  declared  by  the  Conventions  of  1868  and  1869: 

“That  as  these  organizations  bear  the  name  of  Christian  and  profess 
to  be  engaged  directly  in  the  Saviour’s  service,  so  it  is  clearly  their  duty 
to  maintain  the  control  and  management  of  all  their  affairs  in  the  hands 
of  those  who  profess  to  love  and  publicly  avow  their  faith  in  Jesus,  the 
Redeemer,  as  Divine,  and  who  testify  their  faith  by  becoming  and  remain- 
ing members  of  churches  held  to  be  Evangelical;  and  that  such  persons 
and  none  others,  should  be  allowed  to  vote  or  hold  office.  And  we  hold 
those  churches  to  be  Evangelical  which,  maintaining  the  Holy  Scriptures 
to  be  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice,  do  believe  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  (the  only  begotten  Son  of  the  Father,  King  of  Kings,  and 
Lord  of  Lords,  in  whom  dwelleth  the  fullness  of  the  Godhead  bodily,  and 
who  was  made  sin  for  us,  though  knowing  no  sin.  bearing  our  sins  in  His 
own  body  on  the  tree),  as  the  only  name  under  Heaven  given  among  men. 
whereby  we  must  be  saved  from  everlasting  punishment*  and  unto  life 
eternal.” 

2.  Resolved,  That  this  Convention  appoint  a committee  to  investigate 
the  standing  of  the  North  American  Associations  as  to  the  Portland  test, 
and  if  the  active  voting  members  (those  who  hold  office)  are  found  not 
to  be  on  the  Portland  basis,  they  shall  be  warned  and  given  three  years 
to  reform  said  irregularities.  Any  Association  which  violates  this  rule 
after  this  notification  shall  be  stricken  from  the  rolls. 

Part  II. 

1.  Resolved.  That  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  for  students 
shall  be  entitled  to  representation  at  future  International  Conventions, 
whose  active  membership  shall  be  restricted  to  students  and  members  of 

*I,ast  four  words  added  by  action  of  the  Indianapolis  Convention.  1893,  Convention 
Report,  p.  119. 


31 


faculties  who  are  either  members  of  Evangelical  churches  or  accept  Jesus 
Christ  as  He  is  offered  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  their  God  and  Saviour, 
and  approve  the  objects  of  the  Association,  which  are  as  follows:  To 
lead  students  to  become  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ  as  their  Divine  Lord 
and  Saviour,  to  lead  them  to  join  the  church,  to  promote  growth  in 
Christian  faith  and  character,  and  to  enlist  them  in  Christian  service.  Only 
active  members  shall  have  the  right  to  vote,  and  only  active  members  who 
are  members  of  Evangelical  churches  shall  be  eligible  for  office. 

2.  Resolved,  That  representation  in  International  Conventions  shall 
be  based  upon  the  number  of  active  members  who  are  members  of  Evan- 
gelical churches,  and  that  only  such  members  shall  represent  Associations 
in  International  Conventions. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  President  of  this  Convention  be  instructed  to 
appoint,  at  a later  date,  a committee  of  five  to  select  a commission  of 
fifteen  members  of  Evangelical  churches,  for  the  purpose  of  considering 
the  question  of  the  desirability  of  rephrasing  the  definition  of  the  word 
“Evangelical,”  as  contained  in  the  Portland  basis.  And,  if  they  deem  it 
expedient,  to  recommend  a substitute  to  the  next  International  Convention, 
as  an  alternate  to  the  Portland  basis,  which  shall  in  no  way  weaken  the 
statement  regarding  the  value  and  place  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  the 
deity  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord  and  Saviour. — Convention  of  1907,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  p.  109. 

That  no  attempt  be  made  at  this  time  to  rephrase  the  definition  of  the 
word  “Evangelical”  as  adopted  by  the  International  Convention  held  in 
Portland,  Maine,  in  1869,  and  known  as  the  Portland  Basis,  viz. : 

" Resolved , That  as  these  organizations  bear  the  name  of  Christian, 
and  profess  to  be  engaged  directly  in  the  Saviour’s  service,  so  it  is  clearly 
their  duty  to  maintain  the  control  and  management  of  all  their  affairs  in 
the  hands  of  those  who  profess  to  love,  and  publicly  avow  their  faith 
in  Jesus,  the  Redeemer,  as  Divine,  and  who  testify  their  faith  by 
becoming  and  remaining  members  of  churches  held  to  be  evangelical. 
And  we  hold  those  churches  to  be  evangelical  which,  maintaining  the 
Holy  Scriptures  to  be  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice,  do 
believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  (the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  King 
of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords,  in  whom  dwelleth  the  fullness  of  the  God- 
head bodily,  and  who  was  made  sin  for  us,  though  knowing  no  sin,  bear- 
ing our  sins  in  His  own  body  on  the  tree)  as  the  only  name  under  heaven 
given  among  men  whereby  we  must  be  saved  from  everlasting  punish- 
ment, and  to  life  eternal. 

“Resolved,  That  the  Associations  organized  after  this  date  shall  be 
entitled  to  representation  in  future  conferences  of  the  Associated  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Associations  of  North  America,  upon  conditions  that 
they  be  severally  composed  of  young  men  in  communion  with  evangelical 
churches  (provided  that  in  places  where  Associations  are  formed  by  a 
single  denomination,  members  of  other  denominations  are  not  excluded 
therefrom)  and  active  membership  and  the  right  to  hold  office  be  con- 
ferred only  upon  young  men  who  are  members  in  good  standing  of  Evan- 
gelical Churches.” — Report  of  the  Committee  of  Fifteen  on  the  Evangelical 


32 


Test.  Adopted  by  Cincinnati  (1913)  Convention,  see  Convention  Report, 
p.  77. 

EIGHTEEN  RESOLUTIONS  ON  RELATION  TO  THE  CHURCH 

I.  The  most  important  agency  for  the  promotion  of  religious  life  is 
the  Church.  No  other  institution  should  be  permitted  to  supplant  it  or 
to  ignore  its  primacy.  The  Association  reaffirms  its  historic  policy  of 
absolute  loyalty  to  the  Church,  and  reasserts  its  intention  to  recognize  in 
all  its  activities  the  preeminence  of  the  Church,  the  extension  of  whose 
influence  is  the  primary  purpose  of  the  Association. 

II.  The  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  recognizes  as  its  field 
of  peculiar  responsibility  and  opportunity  the  promotion  by  all  suitable 
methods  of  the  physical,  intellectual,  social,  and  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
men  and  boys  of  North  America. 

III.  The  Association  aims  supremely  at  building  up  the  Kingdom 
of  Christ  among  men  by  using  its  influence  and  equipment  to  lead  boys 
and  men  to  become  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ  as  their  divine  Lord  and 
Saviour,  by  inducing  them  to  enroll  themselves  publicly  as  members  of 
some  branch  of  the  organized  Church,  and  by  helping  them  to  develop 
Christian  character  and  efficiency.  Whatever  else  the  Association  at- 
tempts to  do  is  directly  or  indirectly  a contribution  to  this  supreme 
purpose. 

IV-  The  efficient  realization  of  the  great  objective  of  the  Associa- 
tion involves  a real  independence  of  management,  its  directors  being 
free  to  determine  the  policy  which  will  make  most  effective  the  trained 
leadership  and  ample  equipment  of  the  Association. 

V.  The  Association  reaffirms  the  broad  principle  that  its  responsible 
control  shall  remain  in  the  hands  of  those  who  have  personally  accepted 
Christ  as  their  Saviour,  and  who  have  shown  their  sympathy  with  the 
supreme  purpose  of  the  Association  by  membership  in  an  evangelical 
church. 

VI.  The  Association  recognizes  the  value  and  need  of  other  organiza- 
tions for  work  among  men  and  boys,  which  stand  in  closer  relationship 
to  the  organized  churches,  and  with  which  it  desires  to  cooperate  in  har- 
mony and  mutual  helpfulness.  It  likewise  recognizes  the  legitimate  exist- 
ence, in  every  large  city,  of  many  civic,  social,  and  reformatory  movements 
with  which  it  should  be  friendly  and  sympathetic.  It  stands  ready  to 
cooperate  with  such  interests  in  so  far  as  they  affect  the  field  for  which 
it  holds  itself  responsible.  It  pledges  its  hearty  support  to  general  church 
movements  tending  to  arouse  the  men  and  boys  of  the  churches  to  the 
efficient  exercise  of  their  religious  and  public  duty. 

VII.  When  any  conflict  of  interests  has  arisen  between  the  Asso- 
ciation and  the  organized  Church,  it  is  the  clear  duty  of  the  Association 
to  take  the  initiative  toward  a friendly  adjustment. 

VIII.  Conscious  of  the  vast  extension  of  opportunities  for  service 
at  the  present  time,  as  compared  with  those  of  any  former  day,  and 
realizing  as  well  the  complexity  of  the  present  relationship  between  itself 


33 


and  the  Church,  the  Association  again  affirms  its  responsibility  for  co- 
operation with  the  Church  and  with  the  agencies  it  may  create,  in  meeting 
the  emergencies  of  to-day.  It  looks  upon  any  necessary  readjustment  as 
a change  of  application,  hut  not  of  principle.  It  regards  itself  as  a pioneer- 
ing agency,  as  an  experimenting  center,  as  a religious  laboratory  on  behalf 
of  the  Church  in  relation  to  the  manifold  interests  of  men  and  boys.  It 
particularly  seeks  efficiency  in  finding  a point  of  contact  between  the 
Church  of  Christ  and  young  men  not  yet  united  with  it. 

IX.  Under  existing  conditions  there  are  many  groups  of  men  and 
boys,  under  various  classifications,  for  whom  the  Church  is  not  equipped 
to  take  full  responsibility.  To  these  the  Association  addresses  itself. 
From  the  rapid  development  of  its  classified  types  of  work  and  of  the 
special  lines  of  interest  which  it  promotes,  it  is  evident  that  the  Associa- 
tion has  peculiar  advantages  for  the  development  of  the  expressional 
activities  of  each  community  for  men  and  boys.  The  Church,  except  in 
unusual  circumstances,  may  well  commit  these  interests  in  each  com- 
munity to  the -special  care  of  the  Association. 

X.  The  Association  welcomes,  in  the  Federal  Council  of  Churches 
of  Christ  in  America,  an  interdenominational  organization  founded  by  the 
churches  themselves,  a new  and  important  factor  in  the  promotion  of  the 
unity  of  the  churches,  and  desires  to  cooperate  with  it  in  the  development 
of  interdenominational  activities. 

XI.  The  Association  recognizes  an  obligation  to  send  representatives 
to  the  foreign  field,  in  order  to  establish  the  work  of  the  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Association  in  foreign  lands  as  a national  movement  in  each 
country,  auxiliary  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  even  as  at  home.  It  purposes 
to  limit  its  work  to  the  promotion  of  the  special  interests  of  the  men  and 
boys  in  those  countries  and  to  furnish  only  such  leadership  as  seems  to 
be  imperatively  needed  for  the  proper  development  of  their  loyalty  to  the 
Church  of  Christ. 

XII.  The  Association  recognizes  an  obligation  for  the  solution  of 
certain  important  problems  in  American  community  life.  It  has  always 
promoted  the  spirit  of  unity  and  comity  among  the  churches  of  all  de- 
nominations. It  willingly  accepts  responsibility  through  its  rapidly  grow- 
ing county  organizations  for  many  needy  rural  fields,  where  it  can  furnish 
a channel  of  cooperation  through  which  churches  and  organizations  may 
unite  in  promoting  higher  standards  of  rural  life  and  action.  It  assumes 
its  share  of  real  responsibility  in  relation  to  the  problems  presented  b\ 
labor  organizations,  by  immigrants,  and  by  industrial  conditions.  In  deal- 
ing with  these  and  similar  interests,  it  cooperates  with  all  agencies 
working  for  the  betterment  of  conditions  in  our  own  country. 

XIII.  The  Association  desires  to  be  a constructive  factor  in  the 
life  of  every  community,  using  its  organization  and  its  resources  to  initiate 
or  to  further  movements  for  social  betterment,  involving  the  welfare  of 
men  and  boys.  It  strives  to  educate  its  entire  membership  for  intelligent 
and  useful  citizenship,  and  to  stimulate  it  to  effective  social  service.  It 
recognizes  the  necessity  of  the  scientific  study  of  the  problems  of  young 


34 


manhood  in  order  that,  in  the  light  of  the  best  wisdom  of  our  day,  it  ma\ 
make  an  intelligent  contribution  to  the  solution  of  these  problems. 

XIV.  That  the  Association  recognizes  the  very  great  importance  of 
promoting  the  religious  life  of  students  in  our  great  state  universities. 
It  desires  to  urge  upon  the  several  branches  of  the  Church  the  necessity 
for  the  exercise  of  the  pastoral  and  other  church  functions  in  relation 
to  the  groups  of  students  of  their  own  affiliation.  The  Association  ap- 
proves the  earnest  efforts  which  have  been  made  to  establish  at  the 
leading  state  universities  a well-endowed  chair  of  Bible  teaching  and 
Christian  training.  The  Association  desires  to  cooperate,  in  every  way 
that  may  seem  desirable,  in  the  denominational  approach  to  the  state 
university.  If  the  life  of  the  university  is  to  be  dominated  by  religious 
ideals,  the  students  of  all  denominations  will  need  to  band  themselves 
together  with  a common  purpose  in  a voluntary  organization  which 
represents  the  Christian  ideals  of  the  student  body.  Such  an  organization 
the  Student  Association  seeks  to  be.  It  feels  that  it  should  be  recognized 
as  the  central  interdenominational  agency  for  the  conduct  of  those  student 
religious  activities  common  to  all.  and  that  in  its  work  it  should  have  the 
heartiest  cooperation  both  of  the  faculty  and  the  local  churches. 

XV.  The  Association  recognizes  its  great  responsibility  in  the  task 
of  securing  the  Christian  leadership  of  the  coming  generation.  Its  access 
to  the  young  manhood  of  our  country,  both  in  educational  institutions  and 
in  cities,  lays  upon  it  a peculiar  obligation.  It  pledges  its  unselfish  co- 
operation in  bringing  before  these  men  of  promise  wherever  they  may  be 
found  the  challenge  of  the  ministry,  of  social  service,  of  Association 
leadership,  and  other  forms  of  service  both  at  home  and  on  foreign 
fields,  as  the  opportunities  for  the  investment  of  life. 

XVI.  From  its  beginnings,  the  Association  has  laid  emphasis  upon 
evangelistic  effort.  In  recent  years  other  organizations  have  largely  as- 
sumed its  early  work  of  rescue  and  redemption,  leaving  it  more  responsible 
for  the  work  of  prevention  and  education.  The  Association  believes 
strongly  in  bringing  young  men  to  a definite  decision  to  accept  Jesus 
Christ  as  their  Lord  and  Saviour,  and  yet  would  also  affirm  its  faith 
in  the  broader  educational  evangelism,  through  religious  training,  which 
finds  its  fruitage  in  ripened  character  and  religious  efficiency. 

XVII.  The  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association,  realizing  the  great 
task  committed  to  it,  herewith  declares  again  its  conviction  that  it  must 
remain  dominantly  and  evangelically  religious  in  its  aims.  It  seeks  to 
cultivate  its  resources  for  the  one  supreme  purpose  of  winning  young  men 
to  Jesus  Christ.  It  desires  to  inaugurate  a religious  program  which  will 
be  adequate  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  task.  It  seeks  through  reli- 
gious education  to  develop  its  constituency  into  strong  Christian  manhood, 
and  to  enable  it  to  give  expression  to  that  manhood  in  personal  service. 
It  holds  that  no  one  truly  represents  the  spirit  of  the  Association  who 
does  not  unselfishly  and  loyally  take  some  definite  share  in  Christian  work. 
It  believes  that  the  willingness  to  perform  such  service  should  be  re- 
quired of  leaders  and  urged  upon  every  active  member.  It  pledges  the 
hearty  cooperation  of  the  organization  with  all  branches  of  the  evangelical 


35 


church  and  with  other  organized  efforts  in  the  realm  of  social  and  religious 
endeavor,  for  the  promotion  of  the  ideals  of  the  Kingdom  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ. 

XVIII.  In  view  of  the  importance  of  maintaining  at  all  times  the 
close  and  loyal  relationship  of  the  Association  to  the  Church,  and  because 
of  the  complexity  of  this  relationship  and  the  many  difficulties  in  the  prac- 
tical application  of  general  principles,  of  which  it  is  impossible  to  give  a 
complete  statement  in  this  report,  the  Commission  recommends  that  the 
International  Committee  be  instructed  to  arrange  for  a more  exhaustive 
study  of  the  problem  of  relationship,  to  be  published  in  book  form. 

— Convention  of  1913,  Cincinnati,  p.  142. 

COOPERATION  WITH  THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  MOVEMENT 

That,  taking  account  of  the  results  of  the  investigations  of  the  Inter- 
national Bible  Study  Courses  Commission,  the  International  Committee, 
in  the  promotion  of  existing  and  new  forms  of  Christian  education  for 
boys  and  for  men,  endeavor  to  supplement  and  support  the  generally 
approved  plans  of  the  Churches,  as  represented  in  the  denominational  and 
interdenominational  Sunday  school  movements. — Convention  of  1916, 
Cleveland,  p.  158. 

ASSOCIATION  AND  CHURCH  WORK  IN  STATE  UNIVERSITIES 

That  we  recognize  with  hearty  approval  the  special  effort  of  the 
Student  Department  of  the  International  Committee  to  work  in  close 
cooperation  with  the  leaders  of  the  different  denominations  in  their  plans 
for  denominational  work  in  State  universities ; and  further  that  we 
commend  the  principles  of  cooperation  as  laid  down  in  the  following 
Findings  of  the  Cleveland  Conference  (held  in  March,  1915,  and  com- 
posed of  representatives  of  all  Christian  agencies  at  work  in  State  institu- 
tions) and  urge  that  these  principles  be  worked  out  in  cooperative  action : 

I.  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Conference  that  a close  unification  of  the 
Christian  forces  in  State  universities  is  desirable  and  necessary. 

II.  We  recognize  that  the  Church  and  all  Church  agencies,  local 
and  national,  should  have  direct  access  to  the  State  university  field.  All 
such  activities  should  be  related  as  closely  as  practicable  to  the  churches 
in  the  university  communities. 

III.  We  recognize  that  the  Christian  Student  Movements  have  a 
distinctive  and  providential  place  and  mission  in  the  State  universities,  as 
voluntary  interdenominational  agencies,  and  that  their  individuality  and 
autonomy  should  be  maintained. 

IV.  On  the  supervisory  or  advisory  bodies  of  the  Association,  both 
local  and  national,  should  be,  so  far  as  is  consistent  with  efficiency,  repre- 
sentatives of  the  various  Christian  communions,  which  representatives 
shall  be  nominated  by  the  Association’s  supervisory  or  advisory  body  con- 
cerned, approved  by  the  proper  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  Christian 
communions  concerned,  and  in  the  case  of  the  local  Associations,  elected 


36 


by  tlie  Association.  It  is  understood  that  in  the  case  of  the  Young 
Women’s  Christian  Association  their  supervisory  or  advisory  bodies  will 
be  composed  of  women.  It  is  also  understood  that  persons  elected  to 
these  supervisory  or  advisory  bodies  shall  have  qualifications  which  agree 
with  the  membership  requirements  of  the  Association  Movements. 

V.  We  recognize  that  the  desired  unification  of  the  Christian  forces, 
both  denominational  and  interdenominational,  involves  an  identification 
of  interests;  regular,  thorough,  and  timely  consultation  on  the  part  of  the 
leaders  of  these  forces ; mutual  consent  as  to  such  policies  and  methods 
adopted  as  are  of  common  concern;  and  whole-hearted  and  prayerful 
cooperation  in  carrying  out  plans. 

VI.  Undergraduate  initiative  and  control  should  be  safeguarded, 
both  in  denominational  and  interdenominational  work. 

VII.  We  suggest  that  during  the  coming  year  the  leaders  of  the 
Christian  forces  in  different  State  university  communities  take  such 
steps  as  seem  best  to  them  to  give  effect  to  the  foregoing  principles  and 
recommendations,  through  some  such  plan  as  that  of  local  federal  com- 
mittees. A similar  procedure  should  be  followed  by  the  national  leaders 
of  the  denominational  and  interdenominational  agencies. 

VIII.  We  recommend  that  this  Conference  appoint  a Committee  of 
Reference  for  the  coming  year  which  shall  meet  at  least  twice  during 
the  year  and  appoint  if  necessary  sub-committees  for  the  purpose  of 
studying  the  various  problems  involved  and  that  [it]  shall  be  authorized 
to  call  another  Conference  at  approximately  this  time  a year  hence.  This 
Committee  of  Reference  regarding  work  in  state  universities  shall  be  com- 
posed of  the  present  Committee  of  Findings. 

IX.  It  is  understood  that  these  findings  be  reported  to  the  authorita- 
tive committees  of  the  four  agencies  represented  at  this  Conference  for 
their  consideration  and  suggestion.— Contention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  156. 


VI.  RELATIONSHIPS  BETWEEN  THE  INTERNA- 
TIONAL COMMITTEE  AND  LOCAL,  STATE, 

AND  WORLD  ORGANIZATIONS 

PAGE 

Relations  with  Local  Organizations 38 

Establishment  of  new  branch  offices  of  the  International 
Committee — Accord  with  Local  Associations — Coopera- 
tion in  solicitation  of  funds — Cooperation  in  the  discovery 
and  training  of  secretaries. 

Relations  with  State  and  Provincial  Committees  38 

Convention  of  1899 — Committee  of  Twenty-one  (Buffalo 
Convention , 1904) — Conferences  between  Members  and 
Secretaries  of  State  and  International  Committees  (To- 
ronto Convention,  1910). 

Relations  with  World's  Committee  41 

Resolution  of  loyalty  and  support. 

37 


RELATIONS  WITH  LOCAL  ORGANIZATIONS 
Establishment  of  New  Branch  Offices  of  the  International  Committee 

That  new  branch  offices  of  the  International  Committee  for  any  of 
its  departments  should  be  established  in  different  parts  of  the  field,  only 
after  consultation  and  agreement  with  Association  leaders  in  the  par- 
ticular section  concerned. — Convention  of  1913.  Cincinnati,  p.  59. 

Accord  With  Local  Associations 

That  hereafter  in  the  organizing  and  promoting  of  Association  work 
in  a community  where  an  Association  organization  is  already  established, 
the  International  Committee  should  work  in  consultation  and  accord  with 
the  existing  Association. — Convention  of  1913.  Cincinnati.  p.  211. 

Cooperation  in  Solicitation  of  Funds 

That  the  International  Committee  be  commended  for  the  policy  and 
the  increasing  practice  pursued  when  soliciting  for  current  and  endowment 
funds,  of  conferring  with  the  Boards  of  Management  or  executive  officers 
of  the  local  Associations  where  solicitation  has  been  made,  submitting 
lists  of  donors  and  cooperating  in  harmony  with  said  local  officials,  and 
that  the  extending  of  the  subscribing  constituency  of  the  International 
Committee  be  done  in  consultation  with  the  local  Boards  of  Management 
and  executive  officers  of  local  Associations.  The  local  Associations  are 
recommended  to  assume,  through  the  Boards  of  Directors,  a proportionate 
share  of  the  financial  responsibilities  of  the  International  Committee. — 
Convention  of  1913,  Cincinnati,  f.  222. 

Cooperation  in  Discovery  and  Training  of  Secretaries 

Extract  from  Report  of  Commission  on  the  Relation  of  the  North 
American  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  to  the  Foreign  Work, 
adopted  by  the  Cleveland  Convention. 

This  Commission  Recommends  that  the  Associations  of  North 
America  cooperate  with  the  International  Committee  in  selecting, 
training,  and  releasing  annually  from  the  men  in  executive  and  assistant 
secretarial  posts  those  who,  in  addition  to  their  educational  qualifications, 
have  demonstrated  their  capacity  for  executive  leadership  in  the  Associa- 
tion work  in  the  home  field. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  373. 

RELATIONS  WITH  STATE  AND  PROVINCIAL  COMMITTEES 
Relationships  Between  International  and  State  Committees 

Resolved:  (1)  That  the  International  and  State  Committees  exist  as 
independent  supervisory  agencies,  directly  and  equally  related  to  the  local 
organization,  which  is  the  original  and  independent  unit  in  the  brother- 
hood of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations,  and  that  the  relation 
of  the  supervisory  agencies  to  the  local  organizations  is  as  a rule  advisory. 

(2)  That  in  the  relations  of  comity,  which  have  been  well  established 
by  usage  hitherto,  it  is  understood  that  the  International  Committee  as  a 


38 


rule  exercises  general  and  the  State  Committee  exercises  close  super- 
vision, it  being  also  understood  that  by  the  terms  “general”  and  “close” 
nothing  is  intended  inconsistent  with  the  direct  and  equal  relation  of  each 
local  organization  to  both  the  International  and  State  organizations. 

(3)  That  it  is  desirable  that  the  International  Committee,  in  each 
department  of  its  work,  plan  to  meet  the  needs  of  fields  where  State  and 
Provincial  organizations  exist,  in  conference  with  such  organizations,  in 
such  a way  as  to  supplement,  not  duplicate,  the  corresponding  department 
of  State  or  Provincial  work,  and  to  secure  by  such  adjustment  of  forces 
economy  of  effort,  time,  and  money. 

(4)  That  the  International  Committee  in  forming  and  developing 
State  and  Provincial  organizations,  place  emphasis  upon  the  responsibility 
vested  in  these  organizations,  and  that  cooperation  with  them  be  carefully 
cultivated. — Convention  of  1S99,  Grand  Rapids,  />.  62. 


Report  of  the  Committee  of  Twenty-One1 

First.  The  “Grand  Rapids  Resolutions,”  unanimously  adopted  by 
the  International  Convention  of  1899,  and  reaffirmed  without  change  by 
the  International  Convention  of  1901,  fairly  interpreted,  express  the  his- 
toric basis  of  relationship  upon  which  the  Associations  have  developed  and 
have  been  so  abundantly  blessed  of  God. 

Second.  Radical  organic  changes  in  the  polity  of  the  Associations 
are  neither  necessary  nor  desirable. 

Third.  Efficient  State  and  Provincial  organizations  have  long  been 
recognized  as  essential  factors  in  the  successful  development  of  the  local 
Association ; and  an  important  part  of  the  work  of  the  International 
Committee  has  been  to  establish  and  assist  these  organizations.  This 
policy  becomes  increasingly  important  with  the  development  of  the  Asso- 
ciation work.  It  is,  therefore,  the  duty  of  the  agents  of  the  International 
Committee,  when  working  in  fields  having  State  or  Provincial  organiza- 
tions, to  aid  and  strengthen  those  organizations.  It  is  equally  the  duty 
of  the  agents  of  the  State  and  Provincial  organizations  to  support  and  aid 
the  International  Committee  in  its  relation  to  the  Associations  and  in  its 
work  for  the  North  American  Association  brotherhood. 

Fourth.  The  local  Association,  as  the  independent  unit,  has  the  right 
to  apply  for  aid  to  either  supervising  agency,  and  it  is  the  right  of  each 
agency  of  supervision  to  respond  directly  to  the  calls  of  the  local  Asso- 
ciations. 

'The  earliest  of  the  actions  of  the  International  Convention,  the  spirit  and  prin- 
ciples of  which  are  here  incorporated  and  endorsed,  was  that  of  Buffalo,  1854, 
which  read : 

Resolved,  That  the  objects  of  this  Confederation  shall  be  to  facilitate  corre- 
spondence; to  receive  and  communicate  suggestions  as  to  the  best  course  of  action 
from  time  to  time,  it  being  optional  with  each  Association  to  adopt  or  reflect  them; 
to  assist  in  the  formation  of  similar  Associations  where  they  do  not  now  exist;  and 
to  collect  and  diffuse  information  in  regard  to  similar  Associations  throughout  the 
world,  and  note  their  progress^ — Convention  of  1854,  Buffalo,  p.  24, 

To  this  should  be  added  the  following:  The  Civil  War  having  broken  up  the  old 
Confederation,  it  was  voted  to  reorganize  upon  a new  basis,  delegates  to  be  received 
for  all  the  Associations  of  the  loyal  states  and  British  Provinces. — Convention  of  1862, 
Chicago,  p.  9. 


39 


It  is  desirable  that  the  local  Associations  should  employ  the  State 
Committee  to  the  largest  practicable  extent  in  close  supervision  of  the 
work. 

To  this  end,  and  for  the  harmonious  development  and  administration 
of  the  whole  work,  save  in  exceptional  cases,  the  International  Committee 
should  respond  to  applications  from  the  local  Associations  in  conference 
and  cooperation  with  the  State  Committee.  The  right  of  the  local  Associa- 
tion, however,  to  apply  for  and  receive  aid  from  either  supervisory  agency 
should  not  be  denied  or  abridged. 

Fifth.  The  historic  and  well-settled  autonomy  and  independence  of 
the  local  Association  should  and  will  continue  unquestioned ; and  nothing 
in  this  report  shall  be  construed  as  in  any  way  interfering  with  the  right 
of  the  local  Association  to  organize  branches  of  its  own  in  any  department. 

Sixth.  State,  Provincial,  or  International  Committees  may,  in  ex- 
ceptional cases  and  only  while  necessary,  recognize  each  for  itself  pro- 
visional, railroad,  army  and  navy  Associations,  and  also  (with  the  consent 
of  the  local  Association)  provisional  industrial  and  city  Associations,  at 
points  having  local  Associations  with  which  for  the  time  being  organic 
relations  cannot  be  established  or  maintained. 

In  the  organization  of  Associations  or  branches  on  interstate  railroad 
systems,  the  International  Committee  should  treat  with  the  railroad  com- 
pany and  assume  the  responsibility.  In  the  supervision  of  the  work  when 
established  the  same  rule  of  conference  and  cooperation  with  State  and 
Provincial  Committees  shall  prevail  as  in  other  departments  of  Association 
work. 

Seventh.  It  is  desirable  that  all  local  Association  real  estate  be  held 
either  in  fee  simple  or  leasehold  by  the  local  Association.  When  this  is  not 
practicable,  it  may  be  held  by  the  State,  Provincial,  or  International  Com- 
mittees; but  these  committees  should  seek  to  transfer  the  same  as  soon 
as  expedient  to  local  Associations.  This  policy  should  be  made  plain  to 
railroad  officials  when  leases  of  railroad  property  are  made;  and  to  carry 
this  out  an  assignment  clause  should,  when  possible,  be  incorporated. 

Eighth.  In  any  case  of  disagreement,  where  two  agencies  of  super- 
vision are  unable  themselves  to  arrive  at  a satisfactory  settlement,  and 
where  the  local  Association,  as  the  court  of  final  appeal,  is  not  directly 
concerned  and  so  is  not  available,  the  ordinary  principles  and  methods  of 
arbitration  are  recommended,  namely,  each  party  to  appoint  an  arbitrator 
and  these  two  to  appoint  a third,  no  one  of  whom  shall  be  a salaried  officer 
of  an  Association,  and  thereupon  the  three  to  hear  the  case  and  reach 
a final  settlement,  the  costs  of  the  proceeding  to  be  paid  as  the  arbitrators 
or  a majority  of  them  may  determine. — Convention  of  1904,  Buffalo,  p.  146. 

Conferences  Between  Members  and  Secretaries  of  State  and  International 

Committees 

Your  Committee  suggests  the  [continued]  holding  of  Confer- 
ences between  members  and  secretaries  of  the  International  Committee 
and  the  members  and  secretaries  of  State  and  Provincial  Committees. — 
From  Report  of  the  Committee  on  International  Committee’s  Report,  as 
adopted  by  the  Toronto  (1910)  Convention.  Convention  Report,  p.  151. 


40 


RELATIONS  WITH  WORLD'S  COMMITTEE 
Resolution  of  Loyalty  and  Support 

That  in  view  of  the  widening  opportunity  and  greatly  enlarged 
burdens  which  have  come  to  the  World’s  Committee,  as  a result  of  the 
war,  the  North  American  Associations  pledge  this  agency  through  the 
International  Committee  their  continued  loyalty  and  generous  support. — 
Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  161. 

VII.  RELATION  TO  CANADIAN  ASSOCIATIONS 

AGREEMENT  OF  RELATIONSHIPS 

That  the  present  relation  of  the  Canadian  Associations  to  the  Interna- 
tional conventions  be  maintained,  and  that  the  “Agreement  of  Relation- 
ships” between  the  Canadian  National  Council  and  the  International  Com- 
mittee be  continued  until  the  next  convention. — Convention  of  1916. 
Cleveland,  p.  161. 

The  principal  provisions  under  this  tentative  agreement,  which  was 
first  adopted  by  the  Cincinnati  Convention  (1913),  are: 

1.  That  responsibility  for  the  supervision  of  Association  work 
in  Canada  shall  rest  entirely  with  the  Canadian  National  Council. 

2.  That  there  should  be  no  solicitation  in  Canada  for  the  In- 
ternational Committee’s  home  work  budget,  except  from  the 
Canadian  members  of  the  International  Committee. 

3.  That  the  National  Council  should  make  an  annual  appropria- 
tion to  cover  Canada’s  share  of  the  general  administration  expenses 
of  the  International  Committee’s  work. 

4.  That  the  Home  Work  secretaries  of  the  International  Com- 
mittee shall  be  available  to  assist  the  Council  or  local  Associations 
in  Canada  on  invitation,  the  Committee  to  be  compensated  by  the 
organizations  served,  sufficiently  to  cover  salary  and  expenses  for 
the  time  involved. 

5.  That  solicitation  in  Canada  for  the  foreign  work  of  the  In- 
ternational Committee  shall  continue  as  heretofore. 

— Convention  of  1913,  Cincinnati,  p.  62. 


VIII.  THE  EMPLOYED  OFFICERS 

PAGE 

Training  Agencies  42 

Recommendations  by  the  Commission  of  Five,  Cincin- 
nati, 1913 — The  fellowship  plan — Professional  training 
— Conference  on  professional  training — Summer  schools 
— The  claims  of  the  training  colleges — Conferences  be- 
tween training  colleges  and  secretarial  and  lay  leaders 
— Bible  teachers  in  training  colleges — The  personnel  of 

41 


training  college  faculties Desirability  of  a college 

course  as  prerequisite  to  admission  to  training  colleges — 

The  Association  Colleges — Supervision  of  training  cen- 
ters— Evangelical  standard  for  teachers  in  training  col- 
leges— The  fellowship  plan  and  the  foreign  work. 

Retirement  Fund  46 

Resolutions  of  the  Cleveland  Convention.  1616. 

TRAINING  AGENCIES 

Recommendations  of  the  Commission  of  Five  on  Training  Agencies 

I.  The  employed  officers  of  the  local  Association  and  supervisory 
agencies  should  assume  a primary  responsibility  in  recruiting  men  for  the 
Association  vocation,  and  should  advise  such  men  to  avail  themselves 
primarily  of  the  courses  in  an  Association  Training  School  and  of  the 
supplementary  courses  in  the  summer  institutes. 

II.  The  training  center  plan  should  be  extended  and  students  en- 
rolled therein  be  encouraged  to  take  courses  at  one  of  the  training  schools 
or  a supplementary  course  at  a summer  institute  or  at  both. 

III.  The  Fellowship  Plan  should  be  continued  and  extended  to  all 
departments  of  Association  activity  by  the  supervisory  agencies  and  local 
Associations.  Students  identified  therewith  should  be  encouraged  to  attend 
one  of  the  Association  Training  Schools  after  having  served  at  least  for 
a year  in  the  local  Association. 

IV.  New  agencies,  whether  of  schools  or  institutes,  bearing  the  name 
of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  for  the  training  of  men  for  the 
Association  vocation,  ought  not  to  be  started  unless  the  need  is  clearly 
apparent. 

As  a general  rule,  before  an  Association  training  agency  is  organized, 
the  endorsement  of  the  International  Convention  should  be  secured,  or. 
in  the  interval  between  the  International  Conventions,  the  approval  of  the 
Convention  Committee  on  Vocational  Training  should  be  secured. 

V.  That  the  support  and  encouragement  of  the  brotherhood  be  given 
to  those  agencies  which  in  name,  purpose,  and  management  are  recognized 
agencies  of  the  Association  movement,  to  the  end  that  through  such 
agencies  thoroughly  established  and  made  adequate  for  their  purpose,  the 
Vssociation  may  develop  a most  effective  system  of  Association  vocational 

training. 

VI.  That  the  training  agencies  and  the  brotherhood  may  be  kept 
in  that  close  relationship  of  mutual  confidence  and  support  which  is  neces- 
sary to  both  alike,  any  school  or  training  agency  undertaking  the  prepara- 
tion of  men  for  the  Association  vocation  that  uses  the  name  of  the  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Association,  or  seeks  its  endorsement  and  support,  should 
make  sure  that  the  members  of  its  faculty  and  its  graduates  are  members 
in  good  standing  of  an  evangelical  church  according  to  the  standards  of 
that  church,  and  are  in  sincere  accord  with  the  evangelical  standards  of  the 
Associations  as  expressed  and  interpreted  by  them  in  their  International 
conventions. 


42 


VII.  A college  course  as  prerequisite  to  admission  to  the  Association 
training  schools  is  desirable,  and  should  be  required  as  soon  as  practicable. 

VIII.  In  our  training  schools  increased  emphasis  should  be  placed 
upon  actual  experience  in  Association  work  as  necessary  to  men  desirous 
of  finding  permanent  success  in  the  Association  vocation. 

IX.  There  should  be  a constant  effort  on  the  part  of  the  schools  to 
standardize  their  courses  and  to  so  coordinate  them  that  students  may 
be  credited  with  work  done  in  given  subjects.  The  summer  institutes 
should  also  seek  such  a basis  of  work  among  themselves.  The  various  de- 
partments of  the  Summer  Institutes  should  be  more  closely  coordinated  in 
order  to  secure  greater  efficiency  and  economy.  The  training  schools  and 
summer  institutes  should  heartily  cooperate  with  each  other,  and  where  it 
may  be  done  without  lowering  the  technical  standard  of  the  training 
schools,  they  should  give  credit  for  any  work  done  in  the  summer  in- 
stitutes. 

The  summer  institutes  should  enlarge  their  plan  so  that  they  may 
give  credit  to  properly  qualified  men  in  the  local  Associations  who  thor- 
oughly pursue  and  pass  the  courses  in  the  training  centers.  They  should 
also  encourage  these  men  to  take  more  advanced  training  in  the  training 
schools. 

X.  Each  International  convention  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian 
Associations  shall  provide  for  the  appointment  of  a Permanent  Committee 
on  Vocational  Training  to  visit  the  schools  and  training  agencies  of  the 
Association  and  to  serve  as  a medium  of  communication  between  the 
Association  brotherhood  and  the  training  agencies. 

This  committee  shall  be  first  elected  by  the  International  Convention 
in  1913  on  nomination  by  the  Committee  on  Nomination  of  Permanent 
Officers  of  the  Convention  and  shall  have  power  to  fill  vacancies  in  its  own 
number.  The  committee  shall  consist  of  five  members,  one  from  the 
governing  board  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  College  at 
Springfield,  one  from  the  governing  board  of  The  Institute  and  Training 
School  at  Chicago,  one  from  the  International  Committee,  and  two  from 
the  brotherhood  at  large,  who  shall  hold  office  until  their  successors  shall 
have  been  duly  elected  and  qualified. 

Membership  on  this  committee  shall  be  confined  to  active  members 
of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations,  and  as  soon  as  convenient 
after  its  election  the  committee  shall  divide  itself  into  two  classes,  the  first 
to  consist  of  three  members  who  shall  hold  office  until  the  International 
convention  following  the  Convention  of  1913.  the  second  to  consist  of  two 
members  to  hold  office  until  the  second  International  convention  after 
1913,  and  under  all  successive  appointments  the  same  division  of  the  com- 
mittee shall  be  observed. 

The  committee  shall  report  to  each  International  convention,  publish- 
ing its  report  sixty  days  before  the  convention,  and  a place  for  such 
report  and  for  the  discussion  thereof  shall  be  provided  in  the  program 
arrangement  of  the  convention.  Each  International  convention  shall  ex- 
press itself  upon  the  report  as  after  discussion  the  occasion  may  require.- 
Convention  of  1913,  Cincinnati,  p.  18 5. 


43 


The  Fellowship  Plan 

That  the  Fellowship  Plan  for  recruiting  and  training  men  for  the 
Association  vocation  be  recognized  as  a regular  feature  of  the  work  of 
the  International  Committee,  and  that  it  be  developed  as  the  necessary 
funds  can  be  secured. — Convention  of  1913,  Cincinnati,  p.  67. 

Professional  Training 

That  continued  emphasis  be  placed  by  the  International  Committee 
upon  thorough  professional  training  as  the  standard  preparation  for  the 
Association  vocation,  and  that  the  Committee  and  its  secretaries  continue 
to  cooperate  with  the  agencies  of  professional  training.— Convention  of 
1916,  Cleveland,  p.  161. 

Conference  on  Professional  Training 

The  Association  Brotherhood  recognizes  with  gratitude  the  valuable 
contribution  which  is  being  made  by  the  Conference  on  Professional 
Training.  The  Convention  requests  its  Permanent  Committee  on  Voca- 
tional Training  to  render  any  aid  in  its  power  to  the  furtherance  of  the 
w'ork  of  the  Conference,  to  be  represented  at  its  meetings,  and  to  keep 
the  Convention  informed  of  the  significant  results  of  its  work. — Con- 
vention of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  136.  (Extract  from  the  Report  of  the  Per- 
manent Committee  on  Vocational  Training,  adopted  by  the  Cleveland 
Convention. ) 

Summer  Schools 

The  six  Summer  School  of  the  Association  have  commended  them- 
selves still  further  during  the  past  three  years  by  their  improved  stand- 
ards, particularly  in  the  advanced  entrance  requirements  and  the  adoption 
of  a reciprocal  system  of  credits. 

Because  of  the  brevity  of  the  Summer  School  terms,  the  Convention 
would  urge  the  importance,  in  addition  to  general  reading  courses,  of 
other  specific  and  supervised  reading  courses  as  a condition  of  entrance 
and  credit  in  certain  fundamental  studies  in  these  schools. 

The  Committee  on  Vocational  Training  should  discourage  the  found- 
ing of  additional  schools,  and  should  foster  and  aid  in  strengthening  these 
valuable  agents  of  the  Association  movement. 

The  names  of  all  recognized  training  agencies  should  be  published  in 
the  year-book  with  statistics.  No  additional  training  agency  should  be 
recognized  or  listed  without  action  of  the  Convention,  on  recommendation 
of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Vocational  Training. — Convention  of 
1916,  Cleveland , p.  137.  (Extract  from  the  Report  of  the  Permanent  Com- 
mittee on  Vocational  Training,  adopted  by  the  Cleveland  Convention.) 

Claims  of  the  Training  Colleges 

The  Training  Colleges  are  manifestly  becoming  better  informed 
about  the  attitude  of  the  Association  Movment  towards  their  work  and 
more  alert  to  the  needs  of  the  Movement,  and  are  more  efficient  in  faculty, 
curriculum,  scope,  and  spirit  than  they  were  even  three  years  ago.  The 
importance  of  their  work  is  more  apparent  each  year,  and  they  should 


44 


have  an  increasing  financial  backing  for  their  current  needs  and  permanent 
equipment. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  137.  (Extract  from  the 
Report  of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Vocational  Training,  adopted  by 
the  Cleveland  Convention.) 

Conferences  Between  Training  Colleges  and  Secretarial  and  Lay  Leaders 

The  Training  Colleges  should  continue  the  policy  of  conference  with 
the  secretarial  and  lay  leaders  of  their  immediate  territory,  and 
should  give  serious  consideration  to  such  recommendations  as  result  from 
these  conferences.  The  Committee  on  Vocational  Training  should  attend 
these  conferences  and  report  to  the  Convention  their  significance  and  the 
results.  These  conferences  should  be  held  at  least  once  during  the  interim 
between  the  International  Conventions. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland, 
p.  138.  (Extract  from  the  Report  of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Voca- 
tional Training,  adopted  by  the  Cleveland  Convention.) 

Bible  Teachers  in  Training  Colleges 

The  Association  vocation  demands  broad  intellectual  qualifications, 
but  in  particular  administrative  ability,  fertility  of  methods,  practical 
leadership,  and  religious  passion.  In  Bible  teaching  in  our  training 
agencies  the  emphasis  should  be  upon  the  production  of  men  of  well- 
balanced  religious  leadership,  who  have  the  essential  Christian  message 
and  who  know  how  to  lead  men  into  the  Christian  life  and  service. 

Therefore  the  Bible  teachers  in  our  faculties  should  be  men  of  thor- 
ough Biblical  scholarship,  of  genuine  spiritual  power,  and  with  a practical 
Association  viewpoint. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  140.  (Extract 
from  the  Report  of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Vocational  Training, 
adopted  by  the  Cleveland  Convention.) 

Personnel  of  Training  College  Faculties 

If  it  be  found,  at  any  time,  that  the  influence  or  teaching  of  any 
member  of  the  faculties  of  our  training  agencies  is  prejudicial  to  the 
development  of  men  of  well-balanced  religious  leadership,  who  have  the 
essential  Christian  message  and  who  know  how  to  lead  men  into  the 
Christian  life  and  service,  it  is  desirable  that  evidence  of  this  should  be 
presented  to  the  governing  board  of  that  training  agency,  and  that  it  be 
asked  if  it  finds  the  evidence  conclusive  to  see  to  it  that  this  matter  is 
corrected. 

The  Convention  urges  the  governing  boards  of  our  training  agencies 
to  exercise  the  most  zealous  care  with  reference  to  this  point  which  so 
vitally  affects  the  character  and  usefulness  of  these  institutions  and  the 
Brotherhood. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  140.  (Extract  from  the 
Report  of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Vocational  Training,  adopted  by 
the  Cleveland  Convention.) 

Desirability  of  a College  Course  as  Prerequisite 

A college  course  as  a prerequisite  to  admission  to  the  Association 
Training  Colleges  is  desirable  and  should  be  required  as  soon  as  prac- 
ticable.— Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  140. 


45 


The  Association  Colleges 

The  most  efficient  type  of  vocational  training  as  a rule  is  possible 
only  in  the  Association  Colleges,  and  emphasis  should  be  placed  upon 
this  training  as  most  desirable. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  140. 
(Extract  from  the  Report  of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Vocational 
Training,  adopted  by  the  Cleveland  Convention.) 

Supervision  of  Training  Centers 

The  Conference  on  Professional  Training,  being  representative  of 
all  our  training  agencies,  is  charged  with  a certain  accepted  responsibility 
of  supervision  over  the  Training  Centers.  This  Conference  should  lose 
no  time  in  providing  a uniform  series  of  standard  text  books  which  will 
serve  the  need  of  the  Training  Centers  and  which  will  properly  relate 
this  agency  to  the  scheme  of  training.  A system  of  credits  should  be 
established.  A list  of  the  recognized  Training  Centers  should  be  pub- 
lished. The  approval  of  the  Conference  on  Professional  Training  should 
be  secured  before  any  local  Association  announces  itself  as  a Training 
Center. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland,  p.  140.  (Extract  from  the  Report 
of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Vocational  Training,  adopted  by  the 
Cleveland  Convention.) 

Evangelical  Standard  for  Teachers  in  Training  Colleges 
That  Recommendation  VI  of  the  Commission  of  Five  which  was 
adopted  by  the  Cincinnati  Convention  * be  construed  as  requiring  our 
training  agencies  to  see  to  it  that  every  member  of  their  faculties  is  not 
only  a member  in  good  standing  of  an  evangelical  church,  but  is  possessed 
of  such  personal  convictions  on  the  fundamental  evangelical  position,  and 
such  sympathy  with  the  evangelical  purposes  of  the  Brotherhood,  as  are 
necessary  for  his  equipment  as  a teacher  of  the  future  leaders  of  the 
Young  Men’s  Christian  Association. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland, 
p.  148. 

The  Fellowship  Plan  and  the  Foreign  Work 

We  Recommend,  That  many  of  our  Associations  provide  fellowships 
and  that  the  Association  Colleges  provide  scholarships  for  the  training 
of  native  secretaries  who  come  to  this  country  upon  the  approval  of  the 
National  Committee  in  the  country  of  their  service,  confirmed  by  the 
Foreign  Department  of  the  International  Committee;  it  being  under- 
stood that  only  such  men  as  have  completed  their  scholastic  education 
and  demonstrated  their  fitness  for  the  secretarial  calling  will  be  so 
recommended  for  advanced  training  in  this  country. — Convention  of  1916, 
Cleveland,  p.  374.  (Extract  from  the  Report  of  the  Commission  on  the 
Relation  of  the  North  American  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations  to 
the  Foreign  Work,  adopted  by  the  Cleveland  Convention.) 

RESOLUTIONS  ON  THE  RETIREMENT  FUND 

1.  There  is  hereby  established  a Retirement  Fund  under  the  name 
of  the  “Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  Retirement  Fund”  for  the 

*See  page  above. 


46 


benefit  of  those  who  have  been  employed  officers  of  the  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Association,  when  they  shall  have  retired  from  active  service 
and  are  eligible  to  the  benefits  of  the  fund  under  the  conditions  to  be 
hereafter  established. 

2.  The  organization,  accumulation,  management,  and  disposition  of 
this  fund  shall  be  committed  to  a board  of  six  trustees,  to  be  appointed 
by  the  International  Committee,  and  such  six  trustees  so  elected  shall,  as 
soon  as  practicable,  divide  themselves  into  three  classes  whose  terms  of 
office  shall  expire  respectively  at  the  adjournment  of  the  first,  second,  and 
third  International  Conventions  following  Convention  of  1916,  and  at 
each  Convention  following  the  Convention  of  1916,  and  at  each  Inter- 
national Convention  following  the  Convention  of  1916,  one-third  of  such 
trustees  shall  be  appointed  in  the  same  manner  as  herein  provided  for 
the  selection  of  the  original  six  trustees. 

3.  Said  trustees  shall  consist  only  of  men  eligible  to  active  member- 
ship in  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association.  Any  vacancies  in  their 
number,  occasioned  by  death,  inability  to  serve,  or  otherwise,  until  the 
next  International  Convention,  shall  be  filled  by  appointment  of  the 
International  Committee. 

4.  The  trustees  shall  publish  annually  a statement  of  the  year’s 
receipts  and  disbursements  and  at  each  International  Convention  they 
shall  make  a full  report. 

5.  In  the  accumulation  of  such  fund  the  International  Committee  of 
the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associations  is  hereby  instructed  and  the 
several  State  Committees  and  the  Dominion  Committee  of  Canada  and 
local  boards  of  directors  are  earnestly  requested  to  cooperate  in  order 
that  the  fund  may  be  available  as  speedily  as  possible. 

6.  The  said  trustees  shall  be  and  are  hereby  empowered  to  make 
such  rules,  regulations,  and  conditions  concerning  the  accumulation  and  dis- 
position of  such  fund  as  to  them  may  seem  best,  not  inconsistent  with 
this  resolution  or  with  any  action  of  the  International  Convention,  and 
such  rules  and  regulations  and  conditions  shall  be  operative  from  the 
time  of  their  adoption  by  such  trustees  and  until  adjournment  of  the 
International  Convention  next  thereafter,  but  no  longer  unless  said  Con- 
vention shall  expressly  approve  thereof. — Convention  of  1916,  Cleveland, 
p.  130. 


47 


INDEX 


Accord  between  International  Com- 
mittee and  local  Associations,  38. 

Act  of  incorporation  of  Interna- 
tional Committee,  17. 

Advisory  members  of  International 
Committee,  17. 

Advisory  relationship  of  Interna- 
tional Committee  to  local  Asso- 
ciations, 38. 

Agreement  of  relationships,  adop- 
tion of,  41. 

Aid  to  foreign  secretaries  on  fur- 
lough, 27. 

Aim  and  basis  of  membership  in 
Associations  in  foreign  mission 
field,  26. 

Alumni  movement,  division  of  Stu- 
dent Department,  25. 

Amendment  of  by-laws  of  Interna- 
tional Committee,  20. 

Appointment  of  committees,  10. 

Arbitration  between  conflicting  su- 
pervisory agencies,  40. 

Army  and  Navy  Department,  20, 

21. 

Army  and  Navy  Section,  12. 

Association  colleges,  see  Training 
schools  and  summer  institutes. 

Association  Men,  20,  21 ; publica- 
tion of  petition  for  referendum 
in,  14,  15. 

Associations,  Committee  on,  10,  22. 

Atlanta  Convention,  1885,  advisory 
members  of  International  Com- 
mittee, 17. 

Autonomy  of  local  Associations,  40. 

Basis  of  active  membership,  30 ; 
basis  of  membership  in  Associa- 
tions in  foreign  mission  field,  26 ; 
in  Student  Associations,  31. 

Bible  teachers  in  training  colleges, 
45. 

Boston  Convention,  1864,  rules,  10. 

Boys’  Work  Department,  20,  21,  22. 

Branch  offices  of  International 
Committee,  establishment  of  new, 
38. 


Budget,  foreign  work;  home  work, 
see  Business  and  finance,  Bureau 
of. 

Buffalo  Convention,  1854,  recom- 
mendation of  evangelical  test  of  • 
membership,  30;  relation  of  In- 
ternational Committee  to  local 
organizations,  39. 

Buffalo  Convention,  1904,  report  of 
Committee  of  Twenty-one,  39. 

Building  bureau,  22. 

Business,  reference  of,  11. 

Business  and  finance,  Bureau  of, 

20,  21,  22. 

Business  Committee,  10,  13. 

By-laws  of  International  Commit- 
tee, 19. 

Canadian  Associations,  relation  to, 

41. 

Canadian  National  Council  and  In- 
ternational Committee,  agreement 
of  relationships,  41. 

Church,  relation  to  the,  30 ; eighteen 
resolutions  on,  33. 

Church  work  in  state  universities, 
Association  and,  36. 

Chicago  Convention,  1863,  new  basis 
following  Civil  War,  39. 

Cincinnati  Convention,  1856,  adop- 
tion of  Paris  Basis,  30. 

Cincinnati  Convention,  1913,  accord 
with  local  Associations,  38 ; agree- 
ment of  relationships,  41  ; Build- 
ing bureau,  22 ; community  plan, 
23;  cooperation  in  solicitation  of 
funds,  38;  district  executive  sec- 
retaries, 23 ; eighteen  resolutions 
on  relation  to  the  Church,  33 ; 
establishment  of  new  branch  of- 
fices of  the  International  Com- 
mittee, 38;  fellowship  plan,  42, 
44,  46 ; recommendations  of  Com- 
mission of  Five  on  training 
agencies,  42;  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Fifteen  on  the  evange- 
lical test,  32;  Street  Railway 
branches,  24 ; Student  Depart- 
ment, 25. 


49 


City  Associations,  training  secre- 
taries for  foreign  work.  27 ; sec- 
tion, 12. 

City  Department,  23. 

Clasises  of  Assoqiations,  sections 
according  to,  12. 

Cleveland  conference,  1915,  of 
Christian  agencies  in  state  insti- 
tutions, 36. 

Cleveland  Convention,  1881,  instruc- 
tions to  International  Committee 
to  apply  for  incorporation,  17. 

Cleveland  Convention,  1916,  agree- 
ment of  relationships,  41  ; aid  to 
foreign  secretaries  on  furlough, 
27 ; Army  and  Navy  Department, 
20,  21 ; Association  and  Church 
work  in  state  universities,  36 ; 
authorization  of  International 
Committee  to  participate  in  car- 
rying out  of  resolutions  on 
foreign  work,  26 ; Boys’  Work 
Department,  20,  21,  22;  budget 
for  home  work  and  foreign  work, 
see  Business  and  finance,  Bureau 
of ; city  Associations  as  training 
centers  for  foreign  secretaries, 
27 ; City  Department,  23 ; Com- 
mittee on  Associations,  10,  22; 
comprehensive  foreign  work  pro- 
gram, 29;  conservation  of  leader- 
ship, 28 ; cooperating  commission 
on  foreign  work,  28 ; cooperation 
in  discovery  and  training  of  sec- 
retaries, 38;  cooperation  with  the 
Sunday  school  movement,  36 ; 
Educational  Department,  23 ; 
European  War  work;  see  Army 
and  Navy  Department;  guiding 
principles  and  policy  of  Interna- 
tional Committee,  21  ; immediate 
program  and  budget  for  foreign 
work,  28 ; industrial  work,  24 ; in- 
structions to  International  Com- 
mittee in  regard  to  compilation 
and  codification  of  the  acts  and 
deliverances  of  International  Con- 
ventions, 4 ; means  of  strength- 
ening the  vital  spiritual  union  be- 
tween leaders  of  North  American 
Associations  and  the  personnel 
and  problems  of  the  foreign 
work,  27 ; membership  of  Inter- 
national Committee,  17 ; Physical 


Department,  24;  procedure  of  In- 
ternational Committee  between 
conventions,  30;  Publication  De- 
partment, 24 ; Railroad  Depart- 
ment, 24 ; religious  work,  25 ; re- 
port of  the  Permanent  Committee 
on  Vocational  Training,  24,  25, 
26 ; resolution  of  loyalty  and  sup- 
port to  World’s  Committee,  41 ; 
retirement  fund,  46 ; student  sec- 
tion, 12 ; systematic  guidance  of 
reading  and  study  of  foreign  sec- 
retaries, 27. 

Codification  and  compilation  of 
acts  and  deliverances  of  Interna- 
tional Conventions,  instructions 
to  International  Committee  in  re- 
gard to,  4. 

Colored  Men’s  Department,  20,  21, 
23. 

Comity  between  International  and 
State  Committees,  38. 

Commission  of  Five  on  training 
agencies,  recommendations  of,  42. 

Commission  on  the  relation  of  the 
North  American  Associations  to 
the  foreign  work,  recommenda- 
tions of,  26. 

Committee  of  Fifteen  on  Evangeli- 
cal test,  report  of,  32. 

Committee  of  Twenty-one,  report 
of,  39. 

Committee  of  the  Whole,  10. 

Committee  on  International  Com- 
mittee’s Report,  10. 

Committees,  appointment  of,  10; 
meetings  of,  11;  reports  of,  12; 
standing,  10;  special,  10. 

Committees  of  Sections,  13. 

Community  plan,  23. 

Compilation  and  codification  of  the 
acts  and  deliverances  of  Interna- 
tional Conventions,  instructions 
to  International  Committee  in  re- 
gard to,  4. 

Convention  history,  7. 

Convention  organization  of,  10. 

Conventions,  see  International  Con- 
ventions. 

Cooperating  commission  on  foreign 
work,  28. 

Counsel,  Committee  of,  25. 

County  Work  Department,  20,  21. 

Credential  committee,  8. 


50 


Date  of  International  Convention,' 
13. 

Debate,  close  of,  12;  time  limit,  11. 

Delegates,  election  of,  8;  ex-officio, 
9 ; non-voting,  9. 

Detroit  Convention,  1868,  basis  of 
membership,  30. 

Discovery  and  training  of  secre- 
taries, cooperation  in,  38. 

Discussion,  limit  of  time  in,  11. 

District  executive  secretaries.  23. 

Educational  Department,  20,  21.  23. 

Eighteen  resolutions  on  relation  to 
the  Church,  33. 

Employed  officers.  41  ; recruitment 
responsibilities  of,  42. 

European  War  work,  see  Army 
and  Navy  Department. 

Evangelical  test,  30;  in  Associa- 
tions in  foreign  mission  field,  26. 

Executive  secretaries,  district,  23. 

Faculties  of  training  schools,  evan- 
gelical standard  for  members 
of,  46;  see  also  Training  schools 
and  summer  institutes. 

Fellowship  plan,  42,  44,  46. 

Field  and  functions  of  Interna- 
tional Committee,  20. 

Field  work,  20.  21. 

Findings,  Committee  on,  13. 

Foreign  Department,  aid  to  foreign 
work  secretaries  on  furlough,  27 ; 
see  also  Foreign  work. 

Foreign  work,  25;  aim  and  basis  of 
membership  in  Associations  in 
foreign  mission  field,  26 ; authori- 
zation of  International  Commit- 
tee to  participate  in  carrying  out 
of  resolutions  on,  26 ; budget,  25, 
28;  comprehensive  program  for 
local  Associations,  29 ; conserva- 
tion of  leadership,  28 ; cooperat- 
ing commission  on,  28;  Fellow- 
ship plan  and,  27,  46 ; program, 
28 ; relation  of  leaders  of  North 
American  Associations  to  person- 
nel and  problems  of,  27 ; resolu- 
tion authorizing  continuance,  25 ; 
resolution  empowering  Interna- 
tional Committee  to  establish 
work  in  foreign  field,  25 ; see  also 

Foreign  work  secretaries,  assurance 


of  salaries  to,  25 ; training  of  in 
city  Associations,  27. 

Foreign  work  secretaries  on  fur- 
lough, 27 ; training  of,  27 ; sys- 
tematized guidance  of  reading 
and  study  of,  27,  29. 

Functions  of  International  Com- 
mittee, see  Field  and  functions 
of  International  Committee. 

Funds  of  International  Committee, 
18 ; cooperation  of  International 
Committee  and  officers  of  local 
Associations  in  solicitation  of,  38. 

Geographical  groups,  12. 

Grand  Rapids  Convention,  1899,  re- 
lationships between  International 
and  State  committees,  38. 

Guiding  principles  and  policy  of 
International  Committee,  21. 

History,  Convention,  7. 

Home  work,  20 ; budget,  see  Busi- 
ness and  finance,  Bureau  of. 

Incorporation  of  International  Com- 
mittee, Act  of,  17. 

Indianapolis  Convention,  1893, 

words  added  to  Portland  Basis, 
31. 

Industrial  work,  20,  21,  24;  Section, 

12. 

Initiative  and  referendum,  14. 

International  Committee,  accord 

between  local  Associations  and, 
38  ; Act  of  Incorporation,  17  ; ad- 
visory members,  17 ; advisory  re- 
lationship to  local  Associations, 
38 ; amendment  of  by-laws,  20 ; 
board  of  trustees,  19;  branch  of- 
fices, 38  ; budget,  see  Business  and 
finance,  Bureau  of ; by-laws,  19 ; 
comity  between  State  Committees 
and,  38;  conference  between 
members  and  secretaries  of  State 
Committees  and  members  and  sec- 
retaries of,  40 ; cooperation  with 
officers  of  local  Associations,  38; 
creation,  7 ; election  of  members, 
18;  executive  committee,  20;  field 
and  functions,  20;  foreign  work, 
25;  funds,  18;  guiding  principles 
and  policy,  21  ; historical  develop- 
ment, 7 ; home  work,  20 ; incor- 
poration, 17 ; instructions  from 


51 


Cleveland  Convention,  1916,  on 
compilation  and  codification  of 
acts  and  proceedings  of  Interna- 
tional Conventions,  4;  meetings, 
19;  members,  17;  officers,  19; 
powers  as  a corporation,  18;  pro- 
cedure between  conventions,  14, 
30;  property,  18;  quorum,  19;  re- 
lationships with  local,  state,  and 
world  organizations,  37 ; report 
of,  committee  on,  10;  resolutions 
authorizing  work  of,  20-25 ; sub- 
committees, 20. 

International  Conventions,  date  of, 
13;  history  of,  7;  instructions 
of  the  Cleveland  Convention, 
1916,  to  the  International  Com- 
mittee on  compilation  and  codi- 
fication of  the  acts  and  deliver- 
ances of,  4 ; invitations,  13 ; place, 
13;  procedure  between,  14,  30; 
relation  to  Canadian  Associa- 
tions, 41;  rules,  8;  see  also  for 
separate  conventions,  Atlanta, 
1885;  Boston,  1864;  Buffalo,  1854, 
1904;  Chicago,  1863;  Cincinnati, 
1856,  1913;  Cleveland,  1881,  1916; 
Detroit,  1868;  Grand  Rapids, 
1899;  Indianapolis,  1893;  Kansas 
City,  1891;  Lowell,  1872;  Mil- 
waukee, 1883;  Mobile,  1897; 
Philadelphia,  1889;  Portland, 
Maine,  1869;  San  Francisco,  1887; 
Toronto,  1910;  Troy ,1859;  Wash- 
ington, 1907. 

Kansas  City  Convention,  1891,  aim 
and  basis  of  membership  of  Asso- 
ciation work  in  the  foreign  mis- 
sion field,  26. 

Leadership  for  foreign  work,  con- 
servation of,  28. 

Limit  of  time  in  debate  and  discus- 
sion, 11. 

Local  Associations,  accord  between 
International  Committee  and,  38; 
advisory  relationships  of  Inter- 
national Committee  to,  38 ; auton- 
omy of,  40;  comprehensive  pro- 
gram of  foreign  work,  29;  local, 
state,  and  world  organizations,  re- 
lationships with  International 
Committee,  37 ; relations  between 
International  Committee  and.  38. 


Lowell  Convention,  1872,  rules,  9, 
14. 

Loyalty  to  and  support  of  World’s 
Committee,  pledge  of,  41. 

Means  of  strengthening  the  vital 
spiritual  union  between  leaders  of 
North  American  Associations 
and  the  personnel  and  problems 
of  the  foreign  work,  27. 

Meetings,  public  and  devotional, 
Committee,  on,  10. 

Membership,  basis  of  active,  30;  in 
Associations  in  foreign  mission 
field,  26;  in  Student  Associations, 
31. 

Milwaukee,  Convention,  1883,  ac- 
ceptance and  adoption  of  Act  of 
Incorporation  of  International 
Committee,  19. 

Minutes,  reading  of,  11. 

Mobile  Convention,  1897,  rules,  10. 

Motions,  submitted  in  writing,  11. 

National  Council,  Canadian,  see 
Canadian  National  Council. 

Navy,  see  Army  and  Navy  Depart- 
ment; Army  and  Navy  Section. 

Nominating  committee,  10;  deter- 
mines constitution  of  geographi- 
cal groups,  12 ; proposes  nominat- 
ing committees  of  sections,  13. 

Numerical  basis  of  representation, 
9. 

Officers  of  the  Convention,  10;  of 
the  International  Committee,  19; 
of  the  Sections,  13. 

Order  of  procedure,  11;  in  Section, 
13. 

Order  of  reports,  11. 

Organization  of  Convention,  10;  of 
Sections,  13. 

Paris  Basis,  30. 

Philadelphia  Convention,  1899,  reso- 
lution empowering  International 
Committee  to  establish  Associa- 
tion work  in  the  foreign  mission 
field,  25. 

Physical  Department,  20,  21,  24. 

Place  of  International  Convention, 
13. 

Policy  of  International  Committee, 
21 


Portland  basis  of  membership,  30; 
in  Associations  in  foreign  mis- 
sion field,  26. 

Portland,  Maine,  Convention,  1869, 
basis  of  membership,  30. 

Previous  question,  12. 

Principles  and  policy  of  Interna- 
tional Committee,  21. 

Procedure,  order  of  in  convention, 
11;  unprovided  for,  12. 

Procedure  between  Conventions,  30. 

Professional  training,  44. 

Professional  training,  conference 
on,  44;  see  also  Fellowship  plan; 
Training  schools  and  summer  in- 
stitutes. 

Program  for  foreign  work,  28. 

Program  of  convention  sessions,  9. 

Property  of  International  Com- 
mittee, 18. 

Public  and  devotional  meetings, 
Committee  on,  10. 

Publication  Department,  20,  21,  24. 

Quorum  of  International  Com- 
mittee, 19. 

Railroad  Associations,  Section,  12. 

Railroad  Department,  20,  21,  24. 

Recruitment  for  Association  voca- 
tion, 42 ; for  foreign  work,  28 ; 
of  secretaries,  38. 

Reference  of  business,  11. 

Referendum,  petition  for,  14. 

Regional  secretaries,  sec  District 
executive  secretaries. 

Relation  of  supervisory  agencies  to 
local  Associations,  39. 

Relation  to  Canadian  Associations, 
41. 

Relation  to  the  Church,  30 ; eighteen 
resolutions  on,  33. 

Relationships,  adoption  of  Agree- 
ment of,  41. 

Relationships  between  the  Interna- 
tional Committee  and  local,  State, 
and  World  organizations,  37. 

Religious  interviews,  25. 

Religious  work,  20,  21,  25. 

Reports  of  committees,  12. 

Representation,  numerical  basis  of 
for  delegates,  9. 

Resolutions,  Committee  on,  10; 
from  the  floor,  13. 


Retirement  fund,  46;  duty  of  In- 
ternational Committee,  State 
Committees,  Dominion  commit- 
tees of  Canada,  and  local  boards 
of  directors  in  accumulation  of, 
47 ; trustees  of,  47. 

“Robert’s  Rules  of  Order,”  12. 

Rules,  8 ; suspension  of,  12. 

Rules  governing  discussion  and 
business  in  Sections  and  groups 
same  as  in  main  convention,  13. 

Rural  Associations,  Section,  12. 

San  Francisco  Convention,  1887, 
rules,  9. 

Secretarial  Department,  20,  21. 

Secretariat,  see  Employed  officers. 

Secretaries,  cooperation  in  discov- 
ery and  training  of,  38;  see  also 
Foreign  work  secretaries. 

Sections,  Committees  of,  13 ; pow- 
ers and  functions  of,  12;  organi- 
zation of,  13. 

Sectional  sessions,  12-13. 

Sessions  of  the  Convention,  10. 

Solicitation  of  funds,  cooperation 
between  International  Committee 
and  officers  of  local  Associations 
in,  38. 

Special  committee,  10. 

Standing  committees,  10. 

Standing  rules,  see  Rules. 

State  and  International  Commit- 
tees, comity  between,  38 ; confer- 
ences between  members  and  sec- 
retaries of,  40;  relationships  be- 
tween, 38,  39. 

State,  local,  and  World  organi- 
zations, relationships  with  Inter- 
national Committee,  37. 

State  universities,  Association  and 
Church  in,  36;  findings  of  Cleve- 
land conference,  1915,  36. 

Street  railway  branches,  24. 

Student  Associations  Section,  12. 

Student  conferences,  Committee  of 
Counsel,  25. 

Student  Department,  20,  21,  25; 
membership,  31  ; work  in  state 
universities,  36. 

Student  section  of  International 
Convention,  12. 

Summer  institutes,  see  Training 
schools  and  summer  institutes. 


53 


Summer  schools,  see  Training 
schools  and  summer  institutes. 

Sunday  school  movement,  coopera- 
tion with,  36. 

Supervisory  agencies,  arbitration 
between  conflicting,  40;  relation- 
ship to  local  Associations,  39. 

Suspension  of  rules,  12. 

Systematized  guidance  of  reading 
and  study  of  foreign  secretaries; 
see  also  Training  for  foreign 
work. 

Test  evangelical,  30. 

Time  limit  in  debate  and  discus- 
sion, 11. 

Time  of  committee  meetings,  11. 

Toronto  Convention,  1910,  advisory 
members  of  International  Com- 
mittee, 17 ; Colored  Men’s  De- 
partment, 20,  21,  23;  conferences 
between  members  and  secretaries 
of  State  and  International  Com- 
mittees, 40;  initiative  and  refer- 
endum, 14;  resolutions  authoriz- 
ing work  of  International  Com- 
mittee, 20-25. 

Training  agencies,  recommendations 
of  Commission  of  Five  on,  42 ; 
see  also  Fellowship  plan,  Train- 
ing schools  and  summer  insti- 
tutes. 

Training  centers,  see  Training 
schools  and  summer  institutes. 


Training  colleges  and  secretarial 
and  lay  leaders,  conferences  be- 
tween, 45. 

Training  for  foreign  work,  29;  of 
foreign  work  secretaries,  27 ; of 
foreign  secretaries  on  furlough, 
26. 

Training  of  secretaries,  see  Foreign 
work  secretaries;  Discovery  and 
training  of  secretaries,  coopera- 
tion in;  Training  schools  and 
summer  institutes. 

Training  schools  and  summer  in- 
stitutes, 42,  43,  44,  45,  46. 

Troy  Convention,  1859,  convention 
rules,  8,  10,  11,  12. 

Trustees  of  International  Commit- 
tee, Board  of,  19. 

Twenty-one,  Report  of  Committee 
of,  39. 

Vocational  training,  permanent  com- 
mittee on,  report,  24,  25,  26. 

Voting,  by  yeas  and  nays,  11. 

War  work,  see  European  War  work. 

Washington  Convention,  1907,  basis 
of  membership,  31. 

Whole,  Committee  of  the,  10. 

World  organizations,  relationships 
with  International  Committee  and 
Local  and  State  organizations,  37. 

World’s  Committee,  pledge  of 
loyalty  to,  41 ; relations  between 
International  Committee,  and,  41. 

Yeas  and  nays,  voting  by,  11. 


54 


V 


